Effects

• Rock salt dissolves in water, separating the sodium and chloride ions. Plant roots readily absorb chloride ions where they accumulate in the leaves. Rock salt also absorbs available water in the soil, robbing plants of the precious resource.
  
  

Symptoms

• A salt-damaged plant may be appear stunted on the side facing a sidewalk or road. Scorched evergreen leaves appear brown and withered. Damaged deciduous leaves curl up and turn white.
  
  

Treatment

• Prevention of salt damage is the best method. Plant only salt-tolerant plants, such a honeylocust or Pfitzer juniper, near areas that receive rock salt. Irrigation and proper drainage flushes the salt out of the landscape. Nonsodium products such as calcium chloride and calcium magnesium acetate remove ice but do not harm plants.