Firescaping The Most Flammable Plants

All sources recommend the removal of these most flammable plants from landscapes. They are also one of the most fire prone species and are sometimes referred to as a gasoline bush by firefighters.

Agave Sharkskin Finegardening Succulents Agave Plant Plants

Cypress trees and shrubs that are especially flammable include.

Firescaping the most flammable plants. More fire resistant plants trees evergreen shrubs and trees can give you greenery and resist flames too. Also be sure to remove branches within 15 feet of chimneys and stovepipes. Plant trees such that when they reach their mature height their canopies will be at least 10 feet apart and their limbs at least 10 feet away from your chimney the roofs of smaller buildings and.

Many broadleaf evergreens manzanita and especially conifers plants with needle like leaves are full of highly flammable oils that burst into flame with extreme heat. Hedera juniperus vinca major the list of the most flammable plants and the less flammable plants are compilations of various sources listed in references. Common name botanical name.

Arizona cypress c upressus glabra italian cypress c upressus sempervirens leyland cypress c upressocyparis leylandii. They might sizzle and wilt during a fire but will never produce a flame. Perry wyse and curran s research found the most flammable plants commonly found in new zealand included gorse eucalyptus rimu silver beech and manuka.

While the least flammable included. Junipers juniperus spp are one of the hardiest most versatile and drought tolerant shrubs. Maintenance is essential in the first 30 feet and these plants require water resources and time.

Use succulents in the 30 foot defensible zone next to your house and try low growing succulents in the firebreak area beyond that. Even some palms such as mexican fan palm washingtonia robusta mediterranean fan palm chamaerops humilis and date palm phoenix dactylifera are too flammable to be used in firescaping. Fire retardant plants can catch and help extinguish firebrands.

Plants within the first 30 feet of a structure are the most fire retarding. Give your plants space. Most sources agree that while all plants can burn some are measurably more dangerous than others.

These plants are known for the amount of dead fuel that accumulates inside them high oil or high resin content. But what about the most flammable plants the ones you should consider removing or at least not planting. See zone 1 plants.

Where you put each type of plant is as important as the plant species itself. Consider the well known hens and chicks sempervivums sedums ice plants agaves jade plants and yuccas. Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus juniperus of the cypress family cupressaceae.

More complete plant lists can be found in the firescaping book and at the firesafe marin site. Beware of flammable plants.

Firescape Your Landscape Firescaping Anthony Tesselaar Plants