7 Ways to Create Fire-Resistant Landscaping

Defense isn’t just for football; it applies to protecting your home from fire too! No one wants to think that a wildfire could erupt near their home, but the adage, “Better safe than sorry,” definitely applies. Your landscaping is key when protecting your home from wildfires.

When your home is surrounded by “defensible space”, it's less likely to be severely damaged by wildfire. What is defensible space and why is creating it so important? Defensible space is the space between your home, your yard, and beyond that can slow and even stop a wildfire from damaging your home. We have a game plan for you with these seven steps you can take to create defensible space and protect your home from wildfire damage.

Plant fuels are any plant materials, dead or alive. It’s good to keep your yard mowed, as long grass can be fuel to a fire. It’s good to keep your yard mowed. Also, ensure you clean up any branches that may have accumulated in your yard from damaged trees too. Finally, make sure you don’t have any piles of plant fuel on patios or under decks. It’s easy when you are doing yard work to throw a pile of freshly trimmed branches or raked leaves to the side; however, it’s much safer to clean these up as soon as possible, as they can fuel a fire.

Believe it or not, some plants are considered fire-resistant while others are not. When planning a nicely landscaped yard, you should also plan a fire-safe yard. Fire-safe plants do not easily ignite and share some common traits such as moist, soft leaves, watery sap with low odor, and fewer dead leaves within the plant. Trees, various shrubs, and native plants are typically fire-resistant. Keep in mind that fire-resistant plants still need to be watered and pruned to lessen their flammability.

Highly flammable plants share some traits as well. They have dry foliage within, such as leaves or twigs, and they have high wax or oil content. The leaves also have a strong odor when pressed. Conifers, junipers, and ornamental grasses are more flammable.

Plant placement in your landscaping can make all the difference in protecting your home. Shrubs, trees, and grass should have space between them to slow the spread of wildfire. The spacing depends upon the type of plant, the size, and the slope of your yard. The higher the slope and larger the plant, the more space is required.

Vertical spacing is also important. Keep your trees trimmed at least six feet off the ground. For extra precaution, trim your trees above shrubs too. To calculate the safe height, there should be three times the height of the shrub between the lowest branches of the tree and the shrub. As another precaution, you can landscape around the edge of your lawn instead of directly next to your home.

Keeping up with your yard work keeps you safer. The following tasks will help you maintain a fire-resistant yard:

• Water your plants when the soil is dry or as often as permitted during a drought.
• Trim dead foliage to keep plants from getting overgrown and too tall.
• Keep plants from touching your home.
• Keep your gutters cleaned out.
• Keep your lawn the proper height. (Now you have another motivator to hop on that lawn mower!)

While trees are beautiful, they are “living firewood,” so keeping them at a distance from your home makes sense: thirty feet is a safe distance. Keep the branches trimmed at least six feet from the ground, but the higher the better. Pruning also removes the dead branches which are more flammable.

The tree’s age determines how often you should prune it. Mature trees should be pruned every three to five years, and developing trees should be pruned every two to three years. Only trim your trees during dormancy to avoid damage to the tree. A professional may be your best bet if you have many trees that are mature and are too tall to be reached with a ladder.

Adding a firebreak is simply adding non-combustible materials to your landscaping such as gravel, rock, or brick pathways. These features can enhance the aesthetic of your landscaping while serving as defensible fireproof barriers. So, reconsider your current landscaping, and add some rocks and stepping stones in strategic spaces.

Whenever you can, incorporate non-flammable materials into your landscape. Whenever possible choose materials that will not convey fire to your home. You can opt for pebbles in place of wood mulch, and you can select composite decking and metal fencing that are noncombustible. You can also purchase fire-safe patio furniture, decorations, and stone planters.

Being proactive is key when keeping your home safe from wildfires. From fire-resistant landscape design, to regular maintenance, tree trimming, and firebreaks, you can have curb appeal and a fire-resistant yard. For even more information on protecting your home, read our other article on Wildfire Protection. We are here to help! Come in to see us, and we can give you all the tips and tools you need to fireproof your yard.