Street Tree Protection: Deicing Salt Barriers Installed in Strip Green Spaces

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon City announced on the 30th that it has installed deicing salt barriers in strip green spaces along 24 street tree locations to minimize salt damage to trees and protect tree growth. Strip green spaces are small-scale green areas formed beneath street trees.

During November, the city installed straw-made barriers at 2 locations in Jangan-gu, 7 in Gwonseon-gu, 5 in Paldal-gu, and 6 in Yeongtong-gu. The total length reaches 12.55 km.

The barrier installation is the first stage of a three-stage deicing salt damage countermeasure plan. Stage 2 (emergency treatment) involves spraying salt-neutralizing agents in strip green spaces to normalize soil pH and improve growing conditions, and Stage 3 (subsequent management) involves planting tree species that are salt-resistant.

When deicing salt with high salt content accumulates in soil, tree roots are damaged and growth is hindered. Additionally, when deicing salt adheres to leaves, the tips and edges of leaves turn brown and dry, and in severe cases, entire leaves are affected and wither. Necrosis also occurs as plants fail to properly absorb nutrients and moisture.

Broadleaf species such as zelkova trees, in which water moves linearly through vascular tissues (tissues that serve as pathways for water and nutrients within plants), suffer partial damage, while coniferous species such as pine trees, in which water moves in a spiral pattern, experience damage symptoms throughout.

An official from Suwon City Parks and Greenery Project Division stated, "Street tree growth has been deteriorating and trees have been dying repeatedly due to the calcium chloride component in deicing salt. Starting with the installation of deicing salt barriers, we will do our best to minimize salt damage to trees by spraying salt-neutralizing agents. We hope residents will refrain from piling snow beneath street trees during winter."