As rock salt, or sodium chloride, accumulates in the soil profile, it can have dramatic effects on soil properties over time and affect plant growth, according to Ryan Pankau, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. (Northern Illinois Conservation Club photo)

De-icing salts are essential to winter travel in Illinois and provide necessary safety in a landscape setting by melting dangerous ice on precarious steps, sidewalks, entryways and other areas of frequent foot traffic.

However, damage from salt can be a major problem in some landscapes by negatively impacting plant health or sometimes outright killing plants from overexposure.

Rock salt, or sodium chloride, is the most commonly used deicing agent. It is relatively inexpensive, very effective and widely available, says Ryan Pankau, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

Nevertheless, there are certainly some drawbacks due to its high corrosively (to vehicles and concrete) and its relative mobility in the environment, which can ultimately end up impacting plant life in several ways.

Salts typically move in the environment, either as runoff in meltwater or as aerosol sprays dispersed by fast moving vehicles and wind. The greatest plant damage from salt usually occurs around major roadways as a result of spray accumulation on plant parts.

“Evergreen foliage is most at risk of damage from wafting sprays, which can sometimes move as far as several hundred feet from highways and other high speed thoroughfares; however, spray damage can occur along smaller roads and pathways, even sidewalks,” Pankau says.

Plants showing damage from salt spray are often easily identified since the drifting mist typically contacts road ward side of plants much more significantly. Oftentimes, the suspended spray only can only reach a specific height on affected plants, creating a distinct line where damaged foliage ends.

A less common, but often more serous plant aliment can occur if salt-laden meltwater infiltrates the soil profile. In these cases, soil very near a source of salt, such heavily treated sidewalk or similar surface, accumulates sodium, Pankau says. The impact is often very concentrated as meltwater tends to have well defined drainage ways.

“As sodium accumulates in the soil profile, it can have dramatic effects on soil properties over time,” Pankau says. “From raising pH to destruction of soil structure that ultimately results in additional soil compaction, this damage is often more serous due to wide ranging effects on plants and because it is very difficult, or sometimes impossible, to remediate.”

At times, it can create soil conditions unsuitable for root growth, but can also be detrimental to beneficial soil biota, such as mycorrhizae. In addition, salts in soils actually absorb soil water that would otherwise be available to the plants.

Since salt application is often essential for safety in the built environment, what are some ways we can limit the impact to plants? A good strategy is simply moderation of salt use.

“I am always very quick to shovel new fallen snow as removal is much easier when it’s light and fluffy, as opposed to after the kids have tromped it into the sidewalk,” Pankau says. “Save the salt for the tiny patches of ice left after shoveling, and when you do apply it, apply a small amount and wait.”

Pre-application with a liquid form of deicer is considerably more efficient. Many states are reporting dramatic decreases in road salt use as highway departments turn to liquid application and pre-treatment. At the homeowner scale, some hot water and a small pressurized sprayer can be used to dissolve the salt and very efficiently apply it. The direction and rate of application can sometimes help to limit plant exposure, if strategically applied, Pankau says.

Be aware that salt is very corrosive to sprayer parts, so careful cleaning and rinsing after use can help prolong the sprayer life.

Alternatives to the traditional rock salt include Calcium chloride which can melt ice at temperatures down to about -60°F. At high levels it can damage plants, but it is significantly less harmful to soils, Pankau says. Calcium magnesium acetate is another alternative that is biodegradable and causes no harm to plants and soil.