When Massachusetts roads turn icy in the winter, de-icing salts are the top choice for safely restoring driving conditions. Unfortunately, salt injury can impact nearby trees and shrubs, leading to brown needles and hindered growth. But not all trees are affected equally.
Effective management techniques can help prevent damage from salt exposure. Below, we dive into how winter road treatments impact trees, salt tolerance per species, and what to do to protect your trees this winter.
Effects of Winter Road Treatments on Trees
The most common winter road treatment is rock salt, also known as sodium chloride. This is widely considered the best option due to its availability, affordability, and effectiveness at melting snow and ice. Where rock salt is heavily used, all nearby trees—particularly those that line the streets—are vulnerable to salt exposure.
Trees are impacted in one of two ways: Salt is either soaked into the soil and taken up by a tree’s roots, or it is blown off the street and onto the tree itself. While airborne salt is more damaging than salt that seeps into the ground, both draw up moisture and leave the trees weakened and in a damaged state.
Salt Tolerance Per Tree Species
Some tree species tolerate salt much better than others, which is why, if you are planting new trees on your property, their tolerance and placement near the road are important considerations. An especially vulnerable species won’t thrive in a heavily salted area.
According to the University of Massachusetts, the following tree species are sensitive to rock salt. (This list is not exhaustive.)
- Red maple
- Sugar maple
- Hackberry
- Black walnut
- Norway spruce
- White spruce
- White pine
- Douglas fir
- Pin oak
- Littleleaf linden
If you are worried about salt exposure, the resource recommends planting more salt-tolerant species, including:
- Ashes
- Callery pears
- Ginkgo
- Hawthorns
- Honeylocust
- London plane
- Tolerant maples, including Norway, hedge, and sycamore
- Tolerance pines, including Austrian, pitch, or Japanese black
- Sargent cherry
- Japanese pagoda
- English and red oak
How to Protect Your Trees From Salt Damage
Even the most salt-tolerant tree species might need additional protection from the elements this winter. Massachusetts townships typically put down rock salt to de-ice roads during extreme winter weather. To further protect your trees from sodium chloride exposure, consider the following action:
- Deicing Alternatives: When de-icing your driveway and walkways, consider using sand or an alternative to rock salt that improves traction equally well without harming your trees as much. Better yet, if possible, avoid using deicers by shoveling and removing snow to prevent ice buildup.
- Wash Off Airborne Salts: Rock salt that lands on your trees and shrubs can be washed off with a garden hose. If snow and ice are forecasted, set a reminder to look for and address salt spray.
- Support Soil Health: You can get ahead of winter road treatments by conditioning the soil with gypsum, a natural mineral used as a fertilizer, to help it maintain its structure. Regular irrigation also prevents dryness and flushes out excessive salt.
Choose Tree Tech Inc. for Winter Tree Care
Winter road salt treatment is only one of several cold-weather concerns around tree health. For professional arborist services in Foxborough, MA, and surrounding areas, Tree Tech Inc. is available for expert winter tree care.
Maintenance during this time of year can go a long way in protecting your trees from damage. Our ISA-certified arborists can assess and prune to prevent breakage, enhance appearance, and reduce stress on trees during their dormant season. Tree Tech Inc. also provides the following services:
Since 1986, Tree Tech Inc. has provided top-quality tree and shrub services to residential, commercial, and utility properties throughout eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Our certified arborists are dedicated to helping your trees recover from winter road treatment damage. Contact us to request a service!