De-icing salt can be deadly to your landscaping

TULSA - De-icing salt keeps roads, driveways and sidewalks safer but it can seriously damage trees and plants; even kill them.

The Tree Care Industry Association says you can have the best of both worlds.

First consider an alternative. The association says calcium chloride and calcium magnesium will get rid of ice and snow and are safe for plants.

If you do use the salt, mix it with sand or ashes.

Then when it comes time for spring gardening, use a good fertilizer and, if planting trees near the road or sidewalk, consider the more salt-resistant varieties.

Many maples, birch, ash and pines will better tolerate salt.