Six-Year Growth of Trees and Shrubs Along Minnesota Roads Especially as Affected by Deicing Salts

摘要

Deicing salt, chiefly sodium cloride, has been identified as an important cause of damage to roadside vegetation. A 1973 investigation along Minnesota roadways attempted to quantify the extent of the damage to roadside vegetation by deicing salt. The 1973 study concluded that there was 'no reason to expect widespread increases in salt damage' providing salt usage remained the same. The objectives of this study was to verify these conclusions and to inventory tree growth along Minnesota roads through a re-measurement of the permanent plot system established for this purpose in 1973.