Choosing the most salt-tolerant tree for my boulevard - Ask Extension
Hello,
I live in St Louis Park and our boulevard tree is about to be replaced by the city. It will be under a power line and we are on a busy street....
Knowledgebase
Choosing the most salt-tolerant tree for my boulevard #890009
Asked November 18, 2024, 3:26 PM EST
Hello,
I live in St Louis Park and our boulevard tree is about to be replaced by the city. It will be under a power line and we are on a busy street. We have been given a list of possible choices and I would like help to determine which will be most salt-tolerant, due to salt spray from the street. The tree that was removed was an ironwood--not sure why it was doing poorly. Here are the choices we have been given:
Blue Beech (Carpinus caroliniana),
Crabapple, Harvest Gold (Malus x ‘Hargozam’) Crabapple,
Royal Raindrops (Malus x ‘Royal Raindrops),
Hawthorn Crataegus (crusgalli var. inermis),
Ash, Showy Mountain (Sorbus decora),
Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Minnesota Strain)
Serviceberry, autumn brilliance (amelanchier grandiflora).
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
- I am finding no trees that are salt tolerant. Here is the list of preferred choices (none of them on your list): Ohio buckeye, Austrian pine, ginkgo, honey locust, black walnut, Black Hills spruce, jack pine, white poplar, black locust, Japanese tree lilac, black cherry, white oak, northern red oak
- If I was faced with those choices, I would go with either crab apple or the serviceberry.
- Here is the link for more detailed info: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/protecting-trees-and-shrubs-winter#salt-damage-1264561
- Hope this helps!
- Paul -Tree Care Advisor volunteer
Paul,
Thank you for the helpful and quick response about salt-tolerant trees. I love serviceberry trees so will probably go with that!
It’s a good choice!
