Salt & Wind Tolerant Plants & Trees

Saline Soils

• In addition to road salt runoff, saline soils are found naturally in other areas. Such soils usually do not occur in areas with large amounts of annual rainfall. However, saline soils may be found anywhere near the coast where salt spray collects. It is also common along estuaries and tidal rivers. Areas subject to flooding may receive salt deposits, especially in lower lying places. Such locations often contain wooded wetlands.

Larger Trees

• If looking for wind and salt tolerant trees growing 50 feet high and above, with at least 200 square feet in the overall planting area, consider the common hackberry, Celtis occidentalis. However, while the common hackberry is not affected by salt or wind, it is suspectible to pests and diseases. The durable white oak, Quercus alba and its red oak relative, Quercus rubra, do well in saline soils and resist wind. Many pine varieties, including small, medium and large trees, tolerate wind and saline conditions.

Smaller Trees

• Salt and wind tolerant trees maturing at less than 50 feet tall include the amur maple, Acer ginnala, which reaches a height between 15 and 20 feet. Choose the single stem variety when planting. The common crab apple is also a suitable choice, with a large number of shapes and sizes to consider. If using crab apple for a streetscape, choose a variety with small fruits to prevent fruit littering. The hedge maple, Acer campestre, reaches a maximum height of 35 feet and can withstand serious pruning.

Shrubs

• Being lower to the ground, shrubs are far more wind tolerant and resistant than trees. The aptly named saltbush, Baccharis halmifolia, is an obvious choice. Also consider the bayberry, Myrica pennsylvanica, or the inkberry, Ilex glabra, which are both found in seaside locations. The extremely hardy and prolific rose-of-sharon, Hibiscus syriacus, blooms in early fall. Many types of juniper, including the common juniper, Juniperus communis; Shore juniper, Juniperus conferta; and creeping juniper, Juniperus horizontalis thrive in saline soils.