Salt killed most trees on downtown street, says City of Whitehorse

The City of Whitehorse says 75 per cent of its trees planted along Main Street in the downtown core have died in the last couple of years and it could be due tobusiness owners spreading salt on sidewalks.

This isthe third time trees have had to be replaced on this street over the last few decades.

Martin Paquette, with the city's parks and recreation department,saystoo much salt is being spread on the sidewalks during thewinter, which is getting into the tree bases.

"What happens with salt is that it absorbs water and reduces the amount of water available for the tree, so it creates conditions similar to drought, which is really bad for trees," Paquette said.

Paquette says the city is spending around $20,000 to replant45 out of 60trees over the next month.

The city purchasedassiniboine poplar trees, which are known to beresilient, and plans to plant themdeeper and use mulch at the base to help protect their roots.

"Hopefully this will help absorb the salt from de-icers in the winter," said Paquette. He says the city plans toreplace the mulch each spring as well.

"So in winter it will act as an insulation and hopefully it will absorb all the salt."

Paquette wants business owners to startusingsand instead of salt. He says the city is goingto distribute pamphlets with more information.

Paquette hopes the new trees will thrive this winter.