However, if the species is not adapted to a dry site, the irrigation must continue for the life of the plant. For some situations this irrigation need could approach 100 gallons per day during the summer for a large deciduous tree. Most plants will withstand extended periods of flooding when dormant. Excess wetness may be corrected with subsurface tiling or surface drainage, but may require cooperation from neighbors and will require periodic maintenance for the life of the system. Drained soils may periodically become too wet to support nonadapted species during times of flood or excessive precipitation.
Soluble salts restrict the availability of water to the plant.
Certain plants will do well on soils that are moderately saline. Deterioration of a soil's physical properties, including the development of a dense soil layer associated with sodium salts, limits rooting depth. Many of these soils are droughty and the ability of woody plants to withstand extended periods of drought is limited. Even adapted species will not grow to their maximum potential and chances of mortality increase on sodic and saline soils. The problem of excessive salt in the soil is nearly impossible to correct.