Excerpt from the article “Flooding and Almond Tree Survival” by David Doll on the Almond Doctor website.

Soil saturation reduces the ability for oxygen to infiltrate into the rootzone. Roots require oxygen to respire, and long periods of saturation can lead to root loss by asphyxiation. Fine feeder roots are often the first affected, with larger secondary roots affected during periods of extended saturation or flooding. Tree survival is dependent on how many roots survive and can regrow before periods of high transpiration occur.

View the entire article on The Almond Doctor website.