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How To Avoid Rock Salt Damage On Trees This Winter

Resources: Seasonal Tree Care

Rock Salt Damage On shrubsThe rock salt used to melt ice and snow on the roads and walkways, typically sodium chloride, can have a devastating impact when it comes to the growth and overall health of trees and shrubs.

Rock Salt hurts trees in two different ways; when it comes in contact with the above-ground portion of the tree, and when it enters the soil. When salt is splashed onto the trunk, bark, and leaves of the tree it can cause salt burn and pull the water out of the needles, buds, and branches leading to dehydration and the exposure of tender developing tissue.

When the road salt enters the soil in high concentrations it will displace other nutrients in the soil and lead to the roots absorbing what is left, sodium and chloride. This will lead to nutrient deficiencies and can interfere with photosynthesis and chlorophyll production. In toxic levels, it will also cause leaf burn and dieback. In smaller concentration, rock salt will pull water out of the tree’s roots dehydrating the tree even more; also known as Chemical Drought.

Rock Salt Damage On TreesSigns Of Rock Salt/Ice Melt Damage On Trees?

On Evergreens you will likely start seeing the effects of salt damage in late winter; however, deciduous trees will not show damage until growth resumes in the spring. Look for the common warning signs below:

  • Damage mostly on the side of the tree facing roads, sidewalk, and driveway
  • Browning or discoloration of needles beginning at tips
  • Marginal Leaf Burn: Browning or discoloration along the edges of leaves.
  • Fewer and/or smaller leaves than normal
  • Flower and fruit development delayed/smaller than normal
  • Bud damage/death
  • Twig dieback
  • Delayed bud break
  • Reduced plant vigor
  • Discolored foliage
  • Early leaf drop or premature fall color

Trees Highly Susceptible to Rock Salt Damage:

Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Boxwood, Dogwood, Black Walnut, Norway Spruce, Eastern White Pine, Douglas Fir, Pin Oak, Littleleaf Linden, and Eastern Hemlock.

Rock Salt Tolerant Trees:

White Oak, Northern Red Oak, Paper Birch, Colorado Spruce/Blue Spruce, Juniper, Mugo Pine.


Need Help With Salt Damage

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Or Call Us at 703.573.3029


Ways You Can Avoid Salt Damage on Trees This Winter:

  1. Don’t Use Salt: Do not lay down salt anywhere near your trees and landscape plants.
  2. Choose Something Other Than Typical Rock Salt: If you can’t avoid placing salt near your trees, opt for calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, or calcium magnesium acetate (CMA). These are more expensive than typical Rock Salt (Sodium Chloride) but are friendlier to trees and landscape plants.
  3. Install A Barrier: If you don’t have control over what type of salt your trees/plants are exposed to, install a barrier between your yard and roads/walkways that use salt. Try snow fencing or planting a barrier of salt-resistant trees.
  4. Treat With Anti-Desiccants: Anti-desiccant form an invisible protective coating on leaves helping protect them from winter burn and rock salt damage.Learn More About Anti-Desiccants!
  5. Rinse Your Trees: In the spring, once temperatures are above freezing rinse of all trees and plants near salted roads, sidewalks, and driveways. Then water them thoroughly to dilute leftover rock salt.

As winters become harsher and snowier in the Northern VA, DC, and Maryland area, salt damage will become an increasing problem for trees and landscape plants. Make sure to protect your trees this winter. And keep in mind, if you see signs of Salt Damage on your tree in late winter/spring make an appointment to have one of our arborists check it out using our online booking system or call us at 703.573.3029.

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Google Reviews

Grey Burkhart
Grey Burkhart
March 29, 2022.
Verified
Very professional review of our requirements and an accurate estimate. Showed up on time and were finished quickly. Cleaned up all of the debris and sawdust. Great job all around.
Dennis Bruns
Dennis Bruns
March 8, 2022.
Verified
We have used RTEC Treecare for several years. They do excellent work. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and take great care in explaining the various options available for your particular situation. I highly recommend them.
Annette Iannucci
Annette Iannucci
February 23, 2022.
Verified
We have been using RTEC for years and were very pleased with the recent tree maintenance work they did for us. As always, we got good advice from their arborist Ben,. The crew that did the work is highly skilled, and they did a great job trimming our trees. They worked safely and efficiently, in addition to leaving the yard clean after they finished the work.
Susan Crawford
Susan Crawford
January 26, 2022.
Verified
RTEC was at my house today to removed a large Magnolia that was badly damaged by the recent snow. They did a fantastic job at a very reasonable price. They arrived right on time, worked efficiently and quickly and cleaned up so well it was hard to tell anything have been disturbed. Over the past several years, I have used RTEC for all the services I checked above, and have always been very pleased with their service and professionalism. I also appreciate that they are not eager to take down trees that don't need to come down. In this case, the damage was too extensive for the tree to recover.
Kenton Morgan
Kenton Morgan
January 20, 2022.
Verified
Once again, RTEC has done a great job. The team showed up right on time and performed all the work that we agreed to. They kept us informed as to progress, coordinated with us concerning our maple, and made recommendations concerning ongoing support for our trees. At the end of the day, they thoroughly cleaned up the debris and left our yard in pristine condition. WELL DONE.
Jean Kluttz
Jean Kluttz
January 3, 2022.
Verified
Not our first time but this time was tricky removal of a large dead tree leaning on a healthy tree. Quick response for estimate, good timing to removal, all clear and healthy tree still fine.
Jerry Haggin
Jerry Haggin
December 16, 2021.
Verified
Very good work while ensuring that I was aware of status of my work order and planned completion.
Mike Iger
Mike Iger
December 16, 2021.
Verified
David Roberts
David Roberts
December 15, 2021.
Verified
We’ve used RTEC for many years for tree maintenance and can’t say enough good things about their service. We use them for tree trimming and for regular treatments to maintain our trees’ health and deal with pests and prevent disease. Their arborist Ben has been especially helpful with advice. RTEC also been especially helpful in emergency situations, once coming to cable a massive, heritage oak in our yard right before a hurricane was about to hit. Highly recommend.
Travis Larson
Travis Larson
December 10, 2021.
Verified
RTEC did an excellent job onsite of removing dead branches from our 80+ year old trees, and trimming other growth too close to our home.
Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 185 reviews.

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