Winter in Monroe County brings snowy days, icy driveways, and frequent use of road salt. While salt helps keep surfaces safer, it doesn’t simply disappear when the ice melts. At Brockman Tree & Lawn Care, we often see the effects of road salt lawn damage in Fairport, New York—thin, brown turf, struggling shrubs, and stressed trees lining driveways and streets.
Road salt, especially sodium chloride, dissolves into soil and runoff water once snow and ice melt. As it enters the ground, salt interferes with plants’ ability to absorb water and essential nutrients. High soil salinity then pulls moisture away from roots, creating drought-like conditions even when the soil appears wet. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, excess salt in soil restricts water uptake in plants and can lead to root injury and visible turf damage. Over time, this stress can harm turfgrass, trees, and landscape plants, often showing up as yellow or thinning patches when spring arrives.
Meanwhile, sodium and chloride ions accumulate in soil near roads, driveways, and walkways, lowering soil fertility and limiting water and nutrient availability. Elevated salt levels make it difficult for turfgrass roots to take up water and can displace essential nutrients, such as potassium and magnesium. In severe cases, root systems become stunted, leaving lawns patchy, weak, and slow to recover in the new growing season.
Trees and shrubs face similar stress. Salt spray from passing vehicles lands on leaves, needles, and buds—especially on the side facing the road—and can cause browning, leaf scorch, and dieback. Soil-borne salt that reaches roots adds another layer of stress.
Many common landscape trees near roads are especially sensitive. As salt accumulates over winter, it can slow growth and weaken trees, leaving them more vulnerable to disease and insect pests later in the season.
Homeowners can take steps to protect their landscapes, including:
Use ice-melt lawn-safe products where possible—alternatives like calcium chloride or potassium chloride are less harmful than pure sodium chloride.
Shovel and plow snow early to reduce the need for salt.
Flush soil in early spring by watering to help leach excess salt.
Plant salt-tolerant turf and shrubs in vulnerable areas.
Professional lawn care and landscaping services can help reduce winter lawn damage in Upstate New York before it becomes obvious. Brockman Tree & Lawn Care offers expert assessment of salt-stressed turf and trees, soil improvement plans, and targeted landscape restoration to support healthier grass and stronger plant growth.
Don’t wait until summer to address salt damage. Early care makes a huge difference in how your landscape recovers after winter. Contact Brockman Tree & Lawn Care at (585) 608-0623 to ask questions, schedule a spring evaluation, or request an instant quote. We’re here to help Fairport and Rochester homeowners protect their properties.
Gibson, Mary Jo R. “Minimize Deicer Damage with Salt Tolerant Plants,” Penn State Extension, updated June 28, 2023. https://extension.psu.edu/minimize-deicer-damage-with-salt-tolerant-plants
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