Salt & Chloride Use

Chloride is a common chemical found in the road salts applied to snow around Minnesota during winter. While effective, it is often applied in excessive amounts and can leach into waterways, adversely affecting or even killing urban trees. In fact, it only takes one teaspoon of salt to pollute five gallons of water. 

When sodium and chloride ions are exposed to water, they separate and dissolve, thus displacing other important minerals and nutrients in the soil. When absorbed, sodium and chloride can disrupt essential plant processes, including photosynthesis and respiration, and cause root dehydration.