Which symptom is commonly observed in road salt injury to plants?

• A. Dead leaves/needles in early spring.
• B. Witches brooms and cankers.
• C. Yellowing of leaves in midsummer.
• D. Increased shoot growth.

Answer: (A)

Road salt injury shows up as tissue damage from salt in the soil and on plant surfaces, which disrupts water uptake and causes desiccation. Evergreens are especially vulnerable because their needles persist for multiple seasons and can accumulate salt, leading to visible drying and necrosis. This often becomes evident in early spring as dead leaves or needles, after winter exposure and thawing reveal the damage. Other options point to diseases or conditions that produce different symptoms—witches’ broom and cankers are typically disease- or pest-related, yellowing in midsummer suggests drought or nutrient issues, and increased shoot growth is not a pattern seen with salt injury. So dead leaves or needles in early spring best reflect road salt damage.