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  3. FIRE HAZARD LANDSCAPING VERSUS FIRE RESISTANT LANDSCAPING

FIRE HAZARD LANDSCAPING VERSUS FIRE RESISTANT LANDSCAPING

FIRE HAZARD LANDSCAPING VERSUS FIRE RESISTANT LANDSCAPING

HIGHLY FLAMABLE LANDSCAPING - Some trees, bushes, plants, and flowers are more flammable than others, especially in dry conditions. These plants contain oils, resins, or dense foliage that make them more prone to igniting and spreading fire. Here are some of the worst offenders when it comes to fire spreading: Trees: 

  • Eucalyptus: Known for their oily leaves, which can cause intense fires. Eucalyptus trees are highly flammable, and their bark and oils can spread fire rapidly.
  • Pine Trees: Their needles are rich in resin, which makes them highly flammable, and they often have a lot of dead material that can catch fire easily.
  • Juniper: The oils in juniper trees make them very flammable, especially in the warmer months when they are dry.
  • Cypress: This tree has highly flammable oils in its foliage and bark, and its dense wood burns easily.
  • Redwood: While these trees are resistant to fire to some extent, they still have oils in their bark and foliage that can catch fire under the right conditions.

  Shrubs and Bushes: 

  • Boxwood: This plant tends to have dense, dry foliage that can catch fire quickly.
  • Oleander: Highly toxic and highly flammable, oleanders can ignite easily, especially when the plant is dry.
  • Sagebrush: Known for its aromatic oils, which are highly flammable and can contribute to fast-moving wildfires.
  • Manzanita: Contains highly flammable oils and is dense in structure, making it a significant fire risk. If you have them, make sure they are well maintained and spaced apart.
  • Lavender: Though beautiful, lavender contains oils that can combust, especially in dry conditions.

 Flowers and Perennials: 

  • Tropical Plants (like Bougainvillea): These can be quite flammable, especially the drier, older parts of the plant.
  • Lantana: A popular landscaping plant that is often used in gardens but can be highly flammable, especially in dry climates.
  • Marigolds: While they have bright flowers, their dried leaves and stems can catch fire quickly.
  • Daylilies: While not as flammable as others, they still pose a risk in extremely dry conditions, as their foliage can dry out and combust.

  Grasses and Groundcovers: 

  • Bermuda Grass: It’s often used for lawns, but it can dry out quickly and catch fire easily.
  • Kentucky Bluegrass: This grass tends to dry out and can be highly flammable during summer heat.
  • St. Augustine Grass: Another type of grass that becomes dry and can easily catch fire when not maintained.

 Other Considerations: 

  • Dead Plant Material: Regardless of the plant type, dead or dried-out plant material (leaves, stems, etc.) will catch fire faster, so it's essential to remove dead plants and foliage regularly, especially in fire-prone areas.
  • Mulches: Some types of mulch, especially pine bark or cedar chips, can contribute to fire spread.

 FIRE RESISTANT LANDSCAPING - Northern California has a Mediterranean climate with wet winters and dry, hot summers, making fire-resistant landscaping crucial. Here are the best fire-resistant trees, plants, bushes, and flowers suited for your region:If you live in a fire-prone area, it's important to choose fire-resistant plants. Some examples include succulents, aloe, and other plants that have thick, moisture-retaining leaves or stems. Additionally, keeping your garden well-maintained and free of dead material can help reduce fire risk.Fire-Resistant Trees:Deciduous Trees (Lose their leaves in winter and contain more moisture) 

    • Oak (Quercus spp.) – White oak varieties are best
    • Maple (Acer spp.) – Red maple and sugar maple are good choices
    • Aspen (Populus tremuloides) – High moisture content, slow-burning
    • Beech (Fagus spp.) – Dense, fire-resistant wood
    • Fruit Trees – Apple, pear, and plum trees hold moisture well
    • Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) – Deciduous, retains moisture
    • Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) – High water content, smooth bark
    • Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) – Thick leaves, fire-resistant
    • Linden (Tilia spp.) – Moist foliage, slow to ignite
    • Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) – High moisture, broad leaves
    • Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) – Native, drought-tolerant, and fire-resistant
    • Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) – Large, deep-rooted, and fire-resistant
    • California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa) – High moisture content, resists fire
    • Madrone (Arbutus menziesii) – Smooth bark, fire-resistant foliage
    • California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica) – Fire-resistant if well-maintained
    • Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) – Non-resinous, slow-burning
    • Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) – Deciduous, high moisture content

   Certain Conifers (Most conifers are flammable, but these are better choices) 

    • Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) – Thick bark, slow burning
    • Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) – Retains moisture
    • Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) – Fire-resistant when mature with thick bark

 Fire-Resistant Shrubs & Bushes: 

  • Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) – If maintained properly and spaced apart.
  • Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) – Moist, waxy leaves
  • Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) – High moisture content, slow-burning
  • Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.) – Holds water, resists ignition
  • Wild Lilac (Ceanothus spp.) – Some varieties are fire-resistant
  • California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum) – Low-growing, drought-tolerant
  • Spirea (Spiraea spp.) – Moist, lush foliage
  • Sumac (Rhus spp.) – Fire-resistant if pruned and maintained
  • Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) – Deciduous, fire-resistant
  • Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) – Holds moisture well

Fire-Re Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) – Native, fire-resistant, red berries in winter      Coffeeberry (Frangula californica) – Drought-tolerant, slow to ignite  

Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) – Fire-resistant when well-spaced and maintained      Ceanothus (Ceanothus spp.) – Some species are fire-resistant  

California Lilac (Ceanothus spp.) – Blue-purple flowers, fire-wise choice

Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis) – Beautiful spring blooms, fire-resistant

Ground Covers & Perennials: 

  • Ice Plant (Delosperma spp.) – Succulent, high water content
  • Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) – Low-growing and dense
  • Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina) – Moisture-rich, soft leaves
  • Sedum (Sedum spp.) – Succulent ground cover, fire-resistant, holds water
  • Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.) – Waxy, moisture-rich, attractive leaves
  • Ferns (Various species) – Naturally resistant to fire
  • Hosta (Hosta spp.) – Thick, broad leaves with high moisture
  • Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) – Succulent, very fire-resistant
  • Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – Drought-resistant, holds moisture if not dried out, spreads well
  • California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) – Low-maintenance, fire-resistant

 Best Practices for Fire-Resistant Landscaping: 

  • Space trees apart to prevent fire spread.
  • Keep plants pruned and free of dead material.
  • Avoid resinous, oily, or dry-leafed plants like junipers, eucalyptus, or pines.
  • Use gravel or stone mulch instead of bark mulch.

 Fire-Resistant Landscaping Tips for Northern California 

  • Choose native plants – They are adapted to local conditions and hold moisture well.
  • Maintain proper spacing – Prevents fire from spreading between plants.
  • Remove dead material – Keep landscapes clean of dry debris.
  • Use  hardscaping – Gravel, rocks, and pathways can create fire breaks.
  • Water appropriately – Even drought-resistant plants need occasional deep watering to stay hydrated.