Mining activities in the boreal regions can increase levels of Na+, Cl– and SO4 2– in the forest soil. In the present study, we compared the effects of NaCl and Na2SO4 on the nutrient status of jack pine (Pinus banksiana). Germinated seedlings were grown in sand culture for 28 weeks before adding salts over a period of 3 days to treatment concentrations of 60 mM NaCl and 60 mM Na2SO4, which were maintained for 10 weeks. Salt treatments decreased shoot dry weights and shoot elongation rates. Growth and injury of seedlings were more affected by NaCl than equimolar Na2SO4. Plants treated with NaCl exhibited a delay in flushing of the terminal buds, reduced carotenoid content, extensive needle necrosis, and elevated levels of K, Mg, Mn, N and P in the shoot. Treatment with Na2SO4 resulted in reduced shoot Ca and K concentrations, while those of N and P increased. Necrosis was correlated with tissue Na only in NaCl-treated plants, and no relationship was found between growth or necrosis, and tissue levels of Cl or nutritional elements. We conclude that the greater toxicity of NaCl in jack pine is not due to nutrient deficiency.