Common Cultural: Salt damage

categories: Common Problems Cultural Problems

revision date: 2022-10-31 10:42

Leaf tip necrosis from salt damage.
Leaf tip necrosis from salt damage
Photo by: R.S. Byther

Biology

Plants growing adjacent to sidewalks or roads where salt is used during the winter to melt ice, can experience root injury from high salt concentrations. Overfertilization also can be responsible. Symptoms may include leaf tip or marginal necrosis, needle tip necrosis, or tip or shoot dieback. Damage may only appear on one side of the plant.

Management Options

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

  • Fertilize moderately.
  • Do not apply salt or salt-based ice-melting products in the root zone of susceptible plants, or where residues will wash into the root zone.

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides.

None recommended.