As climate change leads way to drier conditions and potential fire threats throughout California, it is important to consider how to keep your home safe by means of plant selection, proper maintenance, and landscape layout.
Plant selection comes down to choosing various types of plants, including trees, that are firewise, meaning they tend to have damper leaves, an orderless sap, and do not accumulate dry debris. It’s important to note that these plants may still burn, but are just slower to ignite.
These plants are often California natives, which have the added benefit of drought tolerance, lowering your water bill. The drought tolerance stems from the very fact that these plants have a high internal water content, demonstrating how they are less flammable.
Some species of firewise plants are familiar, such as lavender, poppies, and maple trees, but there are many others. Refer here for some inspiration of firewise plants and speak with a landscape designer or landscape architect to see what species make the most sense for your home.
While choosing the firewise plants for your yard, you may want to consider the plant’s maintenance. In order to most effectively prevent fires, some plants can be pruned in fall and early winter to thin vegetation. This can be another deciding factor when deciding on your landscape.
Additionally, where you choose to place your new plants is important. Whenever possible, you may want to avoid planting within 5 feet of your house. You may also choose to consider the surrounding vegetation. In order to create space between shrubs and other plants, stone walkways and other forms of separation can be put in place. For more information about this, prior to working with a landscape designer or landscape architect, you can look here.
The process firewise planting may seem daunting, but with the proper knowledge and tools, a landscape can be constructed that’s both beautiful and safe.
For additional ways to make your home more fire-safe, you can refer to this post.