Choosing the Right Plants - University of Nevada, Reno

10 • UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION^

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLANTS FOR NORTHERN NEVADA’S HIGH FIRE HAZARD AREAS

Cultural practices also play a key role

Cultural practices, such as location of the plant, maintenance

and irrigation, are equally as important as plant species selec-

tion in terms of wildfire threat reduction. Plants that are considered

to be good choices can become fire hazards through neglect. Some key rec-

ommendations regarding landscape cultural practices for high fire hazard

areas include:

Placement and Spacing

 Do not plant shrubs in front of foundation vents or under eave vents.

 Burning embers often accumulate around the base of the house during a

wildfire. The area within 3 feet of the house should emphasize irrigated

herbaceous and succulent plants, noncombustible mulches and hard sur-

faces.

 Do not plant trees in front of large picture windows.

 Plant trees so there will be at least a 10-foot separation between canopies

at maturity. The canopy of mature trees should not be within 10 feet of

the house.

 Avoid large, mass plantings of shrubs and trees within 30 feet of the

house. Appropriate spacing between plants can reduce the spread of fire.

It also enhances the aesthetic value of individual plants. Another advan-

tage is that fewer plants use less water, important for water conservation

in an arid environment. Consider use of boulders, stone, noncombus-

tible mulches, and hard surfaces in lieu of a multitude of plants. Do not

plant evergreen shrubs and trees within 30 feet of the house.

Maintenance

 Remove dead vegetation, such as fallen leaves and needles, dead branch-

es, dried grass and dry flowers, prior to and throughout fire season.

Many evergreen woody plants,

such as juniper and arborvitae,

contain flammable chemicals.

Evergreen plants possessing these

chemicals can burn very intensely

once ignited.

Plants that are considered

to be good choices can

become fire hazards

through neglect.