An earlier post discussed proper soil sampling methods. By now, those results should have been received and reviewed. Almond trees are relatively sensitive to sodium, chloride, and boron. Yields are impacted when average root system salinity increases above 1.5 dS/m, with research indicating a 19% decrease in potential yield with every 1.0 dS/m increase. This yield reduction is due to the osmotic effects of the salts, which basically makes the tree “work harder” for water reducing growth and vigor. If excess salts continue to accumulate within the rooting zone, trees will ultimately uptake the salts and cause tissue toxicity. The salts of primary concern are sodium, chloride, and boron. A leaching program should be implemented when EC of the entire rooting depth exceeds 1.5 dS/m or sodium, chloride, and boron exceed  an exchange saturation percentage of 5%, 5 meq/l, and 0.5 mg/l, respectively.