Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary shall provide assistance under section 8203 of this title to eligible orchardists that planted trees for commercial purposes but lost the trees as a result of a natural disaster, as determined by the Secretary.

An eligible orchardist shall qualify for assistance under subsection (a) only if the tree mortality of the eligible orchardist, as a result of damaging weather or related condition, exceeds 15 percent (adjusted for normal mortality).