Numerous studies have described the negative effects of the commonly used deicer, NaCl, on plants; this has led to research on less toxic alternatives, for example, calcium magnesium acetate (CMA). The present research investigated the native ground cover species, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick), as a possible candidate for landscaping in high salt conditions. The effect of NaCl and CMA on the growth, morphology, and survival of A. uva-ursi plants was examined to explore the use of CMA as a potential environmentally friendly alternative deicing agent to that of NaCl. The influence of these deicing agents on selected soil properties was also investigated. It was found that this ground cover species was able to tolerate moderate-to-high levels of NaCl and even greater concentrations of CMA. Therefore, A. uva-ursi proved to be a candidate for landscaping use in a north central city of Canada, where deicing agents are used in winter months. 1. Introduction Chemical deicing agents are widely applied to roads in cold climates to keep pavement surfaces bare during winter months. Typical application rates of NaCl, the most common deicer in North America, are in the order of tens of Mg？yr？1？km？1 of road [1]. These salts may enter the surrounding environment in a variety of ways. For example, road deicers may be directly applied to nontarget areas, or, they may move into nontarget areas through the plowing or transport of salt-impacted snow and ice. Dissolved salts in road spray and in snow and ice melt waters may also move from applications into the environment. These salts commonly impact road-side soils, fauna, and vegetation; dissolved salts in snowmelt runoff may also enter and degrade surface water and ground water systems [1, 2]. The negative effects of NaCl on roadside and landscaping trees and shrubs are well documented [3–7]. Dissolved salt ions from chemical deicers (e.g., Na+, Cl？) can cause osmotic stress in plants [8, 9]. Soil salinity can interfere with root uptake of both water and nutrients [10], and accumulation of salt ions can cause toxicity in leaves [9], and reduce both frost hardiness [11] and drought tolerance [12]. Salts can also be deposited as spray on leaves, stems, and buds, resulting in external damage, including leaf browning, twig dieback, and slow or no-bud flushing [13], and killing of floral buds [14]. In addition, movement of deicing salts away from application areas can negatively impact aquatic ecosystems, causing degradation of habitat for aquatic organisms and impact drinking water supplies for humans [15]. Despite
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