Flooding can modify soil characteristics in many ways. Flooding can cause anaerobic conditions. A lack of oxygen can cause poor root growth and eventual death of a tree can occur after extended flooding. Hydrogen sulfide and ethanol can damage roots as it builds up through anaerobic decomposition. Tree health, size, age, and species can all affect the ability of an individual tree to survive flooding.
Vigorous trees tend to be damaged less by floods than stressed trees.
Lilac, Pine, Rocky Mountain Juniper, Spruce Most trees can withstand a few days of flooding during the growing season if they are healthy and the water does not contain tree injuring contaminants.