Keeping in mind that essentially all plants will burn under the right conditions, it is best to plant 'good' plants and avoid planting 'bad' plants in areas around your home.

Good plant - Toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia, California native, relatively fire resistant (especially if watered).
Bad plant - French broom, Genista monspessulana, invasive, highly flammable (showing seed pods about to throw hundreds of seeds that will sprout for decades).


Fire-Safe And Fire-Unsafe Plant Lists

The FSCMC believes that the following tables on suitability of different plants in defensible space areas was developed by the University of California's Forest Products Laboratory.  Download a UC Forest Products Laboratory list of plants for use in defensible space by clicking here (10 MB).

The text and tables below were taken from other sources with little modification.  Accuracy of the information in these tables has not been confirmed by the FSCMC.  FSCMC recommends you confirm the suitability of plants with professionals and/or the reference documents in Table 3.

Table 1 below lists plants that references recommend for use in fire prone environments.
Table 2 below lists plants that references recommend not be used in fire prone environments.
Table 3 below lists the references on which Table 1 and 2 are based.

Table 1.  Plants with a favorable fire performance rating in 3 or more references.

Table 1 below contains plants found in the references that were recommended for use in fire prone environments by at least 3 references.  All of the plants listed here were given either a high or moderate fire resistance rating in the references where a rating was assigned, or found listed in the references that categorized plants as fire resistant without assigning a degree of resistance.  In most cases, the terms used in the ranking were not defined, and if they were, there is no agreed upon standard definition.  For this reason, the plants are listed without any attempt to rank them.

It is important to note that a plant's fire performance during fire can be seriously compromised if not maintained.  Plants that are not properly irrigated or pruned, or that are planted in climate areas not generally recommended for the plant, will have increased fire risk and will likely make the mature plant undesirable for landscaping in high fire hazard zones, even if listed in Table 1.

Some plants may have invasive (indicated as *!*) or other negative characteristics that should be considered before being selected for use in parts of California.

Scientific Name Common Name Plant Type Plant Form References at bottom
Achillea millefolium white White yarrow perennial shrub 25, 40, 41, 53
Achillea tomentosa var. Moonshine Woolly yarrow perennial groundcover 7, 11, 12, 13, 23, 25, 26, 28, 32, 35, 36, 37, 39
Aeonium decorum Aeonium succulent shrub 7, 10, 38, 53
Aeonium simsii Aeonium succulent shrub 7, 10, 53
Aesculus californica California buckeye deciduous tree 11, 15, 17
Agapanthus 'Peter Pan' Lily of the Nile, dwarf evergreen shrub 9, 10, 25
Agave americana 'Alba Picata' Century plant succulent shrub 9, 25, 37
Agave victoriae-reginae Agave succulent shrub 7, 10, 53
Ajuga reptans Carpet bugle perennial groundcover 7, 9, 10, 11, 17, 23, 28, 35, 36, 40, 41, 53
Alnus rhombifolia White alder deciduous tree 9, 11, 17, 25, 53
Aloe arborescens Torch aloe succulent shrub 9, 25, 53
Aloe aristata Aloe, Dwarf aloe succulent shrub 7, 10, 40, 41, 53
Aloe brevifolia Aloe succulent shrub 7, 10, 40, 41, 53
Arbutus menziesii Madrone evergreen tree 11, 15, 17
Arbutus unedo Strawberry tree evergreen tree 8, 9, 11, 12, 17, 25, 30, 40, 41, 42, 53
Arctotheca calendula *!* Silver spreader evergreen groundcover 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 53
Armeria maritima Thrift, Common thrift evergreen groundcover 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 25, 40, 41
Artemisia caucasica Silver spreader evergreen shrub 9, 10, 12, 23, 28, 30, 35, 36, 37, 38, 42, 53
Artemisia pycnocephala Sandhill sage evergreen shrub 6, 11, 16, 25
Asarum caudatum Wild ginger perennial shrub 11, 15, 40, 41
Atriplex canescens Four-wing saltbush evergreen shrub 5, 6, 16
Atriplex lentiformis breweri Saltbush deciduous shrub 5, 11, 19
Atriplex semibaccata *!* Saltbush evergreen shrub 7, 10, 11, 13, 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42
Callistemon viminalis Weeping bottlebrush evergreen tree 26, 30, 37
Campsis radicans Trumpet vine, Trumpet creeper deciduous vine 12, 26, 30, 32, 37
Carpobrotus edulis Ice plant, Hottentot fig, Sea fig succulent groundcover 7, 9, 10, 11, 23, 24, 28, 31, 35, 36, 37, 53
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus Blueblossom evergreen shrub 11, 14, 15
Centranthus ruber Red valerian, Jupiter's beard evergreen shrub 8, 11, 25, 40, 41
Cerastium tomentosum Snow in summer evergreen groundcover 7, 10, 17, 24, 30, 37, 39, 40, 41, 53
Ceratonia siliqua Carob, St. John's beard evergreen tree 5, 8, 9, 11, 13, 22, 34, 37, 42
Cercis occidentalis Western redbud evergreen tree 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 17, 25, 30, 34, 40, 41, 42, 53
Cistus purpureus Orchid rockrose, Purple rockrose evergreen shrub 25, 30, 53
Cistus villosus prostratus (C.salviifolius) Purple rockrose, Prostrate rockrose evergreen groundcover 9, 19, 22, 37
Citrus spp. Citrus evergreen tree 8, 12, 30, 34, 40, 41
Convolvulus cneorum Bush morning glory evergreen shrub 8, 9, 11, 12, 30, 32, 39, 40, 41, 42, 53
Coprosma kirkii *!* Creeping coprosma evergreen groundcover 8, 11, 12, 18, 30, 40, 41, 53
Cotoneaster congestus Likiano evergreen shrub 40, 41, 53
Cotoneaster dammerii Bearberry cotoneaster evergreen groundcover 9, 25, 40, 41
Crassula argentea Jade plant succulent groundcover 9, 25, 33
Crassula lactea Crassula succulent groundcover 7, 9, 10, 25, 36, 53
Crassula multiclava Crassula succulent groundcover 7, 9, 10, 25, 36, 38
Crassula tetragona Crassula succulent groundcover 7, 10, 36, 53
Delosperma alba White trailing ice plant succulent groundcover 7, 9, 10, 11, 18, 22, 23, 24, 26, 28, 35, 36,
37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 53
Dietes bicolor Wild yellow iris, African iris evergreen shrub 9, 25, 40, 41
Dietes vegeta Fortnight lily evergreen shrub 9, 11, 12, 25, 40, 41
Diplacus longifolius (Mimulus sp.) Monkey flower perennial shrub 11, 15, 17, 25, 40, 41, 42, 53
Drosanthemum floribundum rosea Ice plant, Rosea ice plant perennial groundcover 8, 9, 10, 11, 23, 25, 26, 31, 35, 36, 40, 41, 42, 53
Drosanthemum hispidum Rosea ice plant perennial groundcover 7, 9, 10, 18, 23, 24, 25, 28, 36, 39, 40, 41, 53
Drosanthemum speciosum Drosanthemum, Dew flower perennial groundcover 7, 38, 53
Duchesnea indica Mock strawberry perennial groundcover 8, 9, 11, 12, 25, 40, 41
Dymondia margaretae Dymondia evergreen groundcover 8, 9, 25
Erigeron karvinskianus Santa Barbara daisy, Fleabane perennial groundcover 9, 12, 17, 25, 40, 41
Eriodictyon trichlocalyx Yerba santa, Hairy yerba santa shrub 5, 13, 19
Eriophyllum confertiflorum Golden yarrow perennial shrub 40, 41, 53
Eschscholzia californica California poppy perennial groundcover 8, 9, 11, 12, 25, 42, 53
Eunymous fortunei radicans Winter creeper, Common winter creeper evergreen shrub 7, 10, 30, 41
Feijoa sellowiana Pineapple guava evergreen tree 89, 11, 12, 17, 25, 30, 40, 41, 42, 53
Festuca rubra Creeping red fescue perennial groundcover 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 25, 40, 41
Fragaria chiloensis Wild strawberry, Sand strawberry, ornamental evergreen groundcover 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 23, 25, 28, 35, 36, 39, 40, 41, 53
Fraxinus spp. Ash deciduous tree 18, 34, 40, 41
Fremontodendron spp. Fremontia, Flannel bush evergreen shrub 11, 15, 17
Galvezia speciosa Showy Island snapdragon, Hummingbird flower evergreen shrub 8, 11, 12, 15, 25, 30, 53
Gazania ringens leucolaena (G. uniflora) *!* Trailing ganzania perennial groundcover 7, 10, 11, 12, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 53
Gazania uniflora (G.ringens leucolaena) *!* Trailing ganzania perennial groundcover 7, 10, 11, 12, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 53
Grindelia stricta Gum plant, Coastal wild gum perennial groundcover 40, 41, 53
Grindelia stricta venulosa Coastal wild gum perennial shrub 25, 40, 41
Helichrysum petiolatum Licorice plant, Curry plant perennial shrub 8, 11, 17, 25, 40, 41
Hemerocallis spp. Daylily deciduous or evergreen shrub 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 25, 40, 41
Hesperaloe parviflora Red yucca evergreen shrub 9, 25, 40, 41
Heuchera maxima Island alum root, Coral bells perennial groundcover 8, 12, 15, 25, 40, 41
Iberis sempervirens Evergreen candytuft, Edging candytuft evergreen groundcover 40, 41, 53
Iris douglasiana Pacific coast iris, Douglas iris bulb shrub 11, 15, 17, 40, 41
Isomeris arborea (Cleome isomeris) Bladderpod, Bladderbush, Burrofat evergreen shrub 6, 16, 53
Kniphofia uvaria Red hot poker perennial shrub 8, 9, 11, 12, 17, 25, 40, 41
Lampranthus aurantiacus Trailing ice plant, bush gold, bush ice plant succulent groundcover 7, 9, 10, 22, 25, 39, 53
Lampranthus filicaulis Redondo creeper succulent groundcover 7, 10, 22, 53
Lampranthus spectabilis Trailing ice plant succulent groundcover 7, 9, 10, 11, 22, 24, 25, 38, 42, 53
Lantana camara & cultivars Trailing lantana, Yellow sage evergreen or annual groundcover 9, 23, 28, 35, 36, 53
Ligustrum texanum *!* Texas privet evergreen shrub 11, 30, 40, 41
Limonium perezii Statice, Marsh rosemary, Sea lavender perennial shrub 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 25, 30, 40, 41, 53
Lippia canescens Carpet grass, Lippia perennial groundcover 7, 41, 42
Liriope gigantea Giant turf lily perennial groundcover 8, 25, 40, 41
Lonicera japonica 'Halliana' Hall's honeysuckle evergreen groundcover 7, 10, 53
Macadamia hybrids Macadamia nut, Queensland nut evergreen tree 9, 11, 25, 40, 41
Mahonia repens Creeping mahonia evergreen shrub 8, 11, 40, 41
Malephora crocea *!* Ice plant, Croceum ice plant succulent groundcover 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22, 23, 24, 26, 28, 31, 35, 36, 40, 41, 42, 53
Malephora luteola Yellow trailing ice plant succulent groundcover 7, 10, 22, 24, 40, 41, 53
Metrosideros excelsus New Zealand Christmas tree, Pohutukawa evergreen tree 11, 12, 18, 30, 40, 41, 42, 53
Mimulus longiflorus (Diplacus longiflorus) Monkey flower perennial shrub 11, 17, 15, 25, 40, 41, 42, 53
Myoporum parvifolium prostrata *!* Creeping boobyalla, Myoporum evergreen groundcover 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21, 23, 24, 25, 28, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 53
Myrica californica Wax myrtle, Pacific wax myrtle, California wax myrtle evergreen shrub 11, 15, 17
Nerine masonorum Nerine bulb shrub 8, 9, 11, 25
Nerium oleander *!* Oleander evergreen shrub 5, 12, 13, 17, 11, 26, 27, 30, 32, 33, 42, 40, 41
Oenothera berlandieri Mexican evening primrose perennial groundcover 8, 11, 25, 40, 41
Osteospermum fruticosum Trailing South African daisy, Freeway daisy perennial groundcover 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 22, 23, 24, 28, 30, 34, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
Pelargonium peltatum Ivy geranium perennial groundcover 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 23, 24, 25, 28, 36, 38, 40, 41, 53
Phyla nodiflora Lippia *!* Lippia perennial groundcover 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 23, 28, 35, 36, 40, 21, 41
Pittosporum crassifolium Dwarf karo evergreen shrub 25, 40, 41
Pittosporum tobira Mock orange, Wheeler's mock orange evergreen shrub 11, 12, 25, 40, 41
Populus spp. Aspen, Cottonwood, Poplar deciduous tree 11, 15, 18
Populus tremuloides Quaking aspen deciduous tree 9, 11, 15
Portulacaria afra Purslane tree, Elephant's food succulent groundcover 7, 9, 10, 24, 40, 41, 53
Potentilla tabernaemontanii (P.verna) Spring cinquefoil evergreen groundcover 7, 10, 37, 40, 41, 53
Prunus ilicifolia Holly-leaved cherry evergreen shrub 8, 11, 12, 15, 26, 30
Prunus lyonii Catalina cherry evergreen shrub 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 25, 37, 40, 41, 53
Prunus spp. Plum, Peach, Cherry, Apricot, Evergreen cherry evergreen tree 11, 15, 42
Punica granatum Pomegranate deciduous shrub 11, 30, 40, 41, 42, 53
Punica granatum 'Nana' Dwarf pomegranate deciduous shrub 9, 8, 11, 12, 25
Pyracantha 'Santa Cruz' *!* Pyracantha, Firethorn evergreen shrub 8, 11, 12, 25, 40, 41
Quercus agrifolia Encina, Coast live oak, California live oak evergreen tree 8, 9, 11, 15, 17, 25, 30, 31, 33, 53
Rhamnus alaternus Italian buckthorn evergreen shrub 5, 9, 11, 12, 13, 22, 30, 32, 40, 41, 42, 53
Rhamnus californica Coffeeberry evergreen shrub 9, 11, 12, 15, 17, 25, 26, 30, 53
Rhamnus crocea Spiny redberry, Redberry, Hollyleaf redberry, Red-berried buckthorn evergreen shrub 11, 25, 53
Rhododrendron occidentale Western azalea evergreen shrub 17, 40, 41
Rhus integrifolia Lemonade berry evergreen shrub 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 26, 37, 40, 41, 53
Rhus lancea African sumac evergreen tree 8, 11, 12, 26, 37, 40, 41
Ribes viburnifolium Evergreen currant, Catalina perfume evergreen shrub 8, 9, 11, 15, 17, 25, 30, 53
Salvia sonomensis Sonoma sage, Creeping sage perennial shrub 7, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 21, 25, 27, 38, 40, 41, 42, 53
Santolina chamaecyparissus Santolina, Lavender, Gray lavender evergreen shrub 7, 9, 10, 17, 23, 24, 25, 32, 36, 37, 40, 41,
42, 53
Scaevola 'Muave Clusters' Fan flower perennial groundcover 8, 9, 11, 12, 25
Schinus molle *!* Peruvian pepper tree, California pepper tree evergreen tree 5, 9, 11, 13, 17, 22, 25, 30, 37, 40, 41, 53
Schinus terebinthifolius *!* Brazilian pepper tree evergreen tree 5, 9, 11, 12, 22, 40, 41, 42, 53
Sedum acre Goldmoss sedum succulent creeper 7, 10, 53
Sedum album Green stonecrop succulent creeper 7, 10, 53
Sedum brevifolium Stonecrop succulent groundcover 7, 9, 24, 25
Sedum confusum Stonecrop, Sedum succulent groundcover 7, 10, 24, 40, 41, 53
Sedum rubrotinctum (S. guatemalense) Brown bean, Pork and beans succulent groundcover 7, 10, 24, 38, 40, 41, 53
Sedum spathulifolium Stonecrop succulent groundcover 11, 15, 25
Senecio mandraliscae Blue ice plant succulent shrub 9, 10, 25
Senecio serpens (Kleinia repens) Senecio, Dusty miller, Blue-chalksticks succulent shrub 7, 24, 40, 41, 53
Simmondsia chinensis Pignut, Jojoba, Goatnut evergreen shrub 9, 11, 15, 40, 41, 42, 53
Sisyrinchium bellum Yellow-eyed grass, Blue-eyed grass perennial grass 11, 15, 40, 41, 53
Sisyrinchium californicum Yellow-eyed grass perennial grass 15, 25, 41
Solanum jasminoides Potato vine evergreen or deciduous vine 8, 9, 12, 17, 26, 30, 37, 40, 41
Solanum xanti Purple nightshade evergreen shrub 17, 40, 41
Strelitzia reginae Bird of paradise perennial shrub 27, 40, 41
Symphoricarpos mollis Waxberry, Creeping snowberry, Trip vine deciduous groundcover 11, 15, 40, 41
Tecomaria capensis Cape honeysuckle evergreen vine 8, 11, 26, 37, 40, 41, 42, 53
Thymus praecox articus Mother of thyme, Creeping thyme perennial shrub 9, 10, 23, 36, 40, 41
Thymus pseudolanuginosus (T.lanuginosus) Woolly thyme, Thyme perennial groundcover 7, 10, 23, 28, 35, 36
Trachelospermum jasminoides Star jasmine evergreen groundcover 9, 11, 12, 17, 25, 40, 41, 53
Trichostema lanatum Woolly blue curls, Romero perennial shrub 8, 11, 12, 15, 25, 26, 42, 53
Trifolium fragiferum O'Connor's legume perennial groundcover 40, 41, 53
Tulbaghia violacea Society garlic perennial shrub 8, 9, 25, 40, 41
Vinca major *!* Periwinkle perennial groundcover 7, 9, 10, 11, 20, 23, 24, 30, 34, 36, 38, 39, 53
Vinca minor Dwarf periwinkle myrtle, Dwarf running myrtle perennial groundcover 7, 10, 11, 23, 24, 28, 30, 36, 38, 39, 53
Zauschneria californica California fuschia, Hummingbird flower perennial shrub 9, 11, 17, 40, 41, 53


Table 2.  Plants with an unfavorable fire performance rating in 3 or more references.

The following list of plants contains those found in the references that are definitely not recommended for use in fire prone environments by at least 3 references.  All of the plants listed here were given either a low fire resistance rating in the references where a rating was assigned, or found listed in the references that categorized plants as being fire prone, without assigning any relative degree of resistance.

The plants in this group have some commonly shared characteristics that cause them to be listed as a poor choice for use in defensible space areas.  Most of these plants are characterized by:
  • High surface area to volume ratio.
  • Low moisture content.
  • High percentage of dead matter or debris.
Any plants that possess all of these characteristics are likely to have an unfavorable fire performance rating.

It is possible for a plant listed in Table 1, but allowed to grow unchecked or otherwise poorly maintained, to possess the characteristics listed above and therefore be a liability in the event of wildfire.  Proper maintenance of landscaping is crucial and cannot be overlooked. 

Scientific Name Common Name Plant Type Plant Form References at bottom
Abies spp. Fir evergreen tree 4, 8, 40, 41
Adenostoma fasciculatum Greasewood chamise evergreen shrub 3, 4, 8, 9, 30, 40, 41, 42
Adenostoma sparsifolium Red shanks evergreen shrub 8, 9, 30, 42
Coprosma pumila Prostrate coprosma evergreen groundcover 9, 25, 53
Cortaderia selloana Pampas grass evergreen grass 4, 8, 9, 40
Eriogonum fasciculatum California buckwheat perennial shrub 4, 40, 41, 42
Eucalyptus globulus Eucalyptus globulus, Blue gum evergreen tree 4, 9, 8
Larixspp. Larch deciduous tree 8,40, 41
Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle evergreen vine 8, 40, 41
Palms Palm evergreen tree 8, 40, 41
Picea spp. Spruce evergreen tree 4, 8, 40, 41
Pickeringia montana Chaparral pea evergreen shrub 8, 40, 41
Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas-fir evergreen tree 4, 40, 41
Spartium junceum Spanish broom evergreen shrub 4, 40, 41
Taxus spp. Yew evergreen tree 4, 40, 41
Thuja spp. Arborvitae evergreen tree 4, 8, 40, 41
Tsuga spp. Hemlock evergreen tree 8, 40, 41


Table 3.  References

Following are the references cited in the last column of the above tables.

Ref. Author Title Year Publisher Reference Summary
1 California Department of Forestry Fire Safe: Inside and Out Date Unk. California Department of Forestry Publication Defines fire retardant plants as those easily maintained and pruned, drought tolerant in some cases, can be grown without accumulating dead branches, needles or leaves, have a low sap or resin content, and grow close to the ground.
2 Gaidula, Peter Wildland Fuel Management Guidelines for the CA State Park System 1976 California Department of Parks and Recreation This reference does not offer a definition of fire retardance with respect to plants, however it offers suggestions of certain plant characteristics to keep in mind when clearing brush to reduce fire hazard: plant vigor, poisonous plants, effects of plants on soils, value for wildlife food and cover, aesthetic values, and relative flammability.
3 Tarbes, J.A. Physical Characteristics of Chamise in Relation to Flammability and Combustibility 1980 San Francisco State University, CA Defines fire performance characteristics of chamise species only.
4 Sunset Big Job #1: Landscape to Fight the Fire 1992 Lane Magazine and Book Company, June Defines highly flammable plants as those that are accumulators of fuel, not maintained or pruned periodically, and contain high oil, high resin or low moisture in leaves and branches.
5 Sunset Brush Clearing for Fire Safety 1968 Lane Magazine and Book Company, October Describes fire retardant plants as those that are low-growing shrubs, non-native brush, and well maintained and watered brush.
6 California State Fire Marshal Journal Landscape for Home Fire Safety 1989 CSFM Journal, No. 2, March/April Defines flammable vegetation as plants containing volatile resins, oils, gums and terpenes, and plants that have accumulations of dead twigs and branches on mature live plants. This reference also defines fire retardant plants as those with a high moisture content, high in ash, well irrigated, free of dead matter, and low volume shrubs.
7 City of Los Angeles, Department of Arboreta & Botanic Gardens Green Belts for Brush Fire Protection and Soil Erosion Control in Hillside Residential Areas Date Unk. City of Los Angeles, Dept. of Arboreta & Botanic Gardens, Arcadia, CA The term fire retardant is used to describe plants inherently less flammable than others. Rates plants as HIGH(greatest fire retardance) low-growing succulent plants with thick, fleshy leaves and/or stems. MODERATE(moderate fire retardance) low-growing herbaceous perennials and sub-shrubs not distinctly succulent. LOW(low fire retardance) low-growing shrubs and sub-shrubs with rather dry, leathery or rigid leaves and branches.
8 East Bay Municipal Utility District Water Conservation Division Firescape: Landscaping to Reduce Fire Hazard 1995 Community Services Department and EBMUD Board of Directors Defines flammable or hazardous vegetation as any vegetation, including ornamental, that either by it's intrinsic characteristics, placement, or lack of care is easy to ignite, spreads fire rapidly, produces high heat, or creates fires that are difficult to suppress. Defines a fire resistant plant as less likely to burn, grows close to the ground and takes longer to ignite.
9 Brende and Shapiro Tree And Shrub Care List of More and Less Fire Prone Plants Date Unk. Brende and Shapiro Tree and Shrub Care, Berkeley, CA This reference suggests that any plant can be fire-prone if not properly maintained. Arrangement, spacing, density and dryness of the vegetation is probably more crucial than what species are planted.
10 Gilmer, Maureen California Wildfire Landscaping 1994 Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, TX Plants are grouped as the most fire retardant if they retain high levels of moisture in their leaves and stems; these plants are mostly succulents and have low-growth habits. Moderate fire retardance is given to plants that are non-succulent with leaves that retain a high moisture content. Plants with low fire retardance are those with leathery and dry leaves.
11 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire-Safe Demonstration Garden Date Unk. Santa Clara Ranger Unit A list of plants is offered without definition of fire retardance.
12 Berkeley Horticulture Nursery Fire Resistant Plants 1991 Berkeley Horticulture Nursery, Berkeley, CA Defines fire resistant as being able to withstand high temperatures for prolonged periods without igniting and does not readily support open flames.
13 Maire, Richard G. Landscape to Prevent Fire 1962 University of California Agricultural Extension Service Fire retardance is not defined in this publication.
14 Northeast Ridge, Southwest Diversified Final Habitat Fire Buffer Program 1990 Northeast Ridge, Brisbane, CA, Southwest Diversified, INC. This reference states that all plants will burn under the worst conditions, but some are more suitable for fire-prone areas because of one or more of the following characteristics: high mineral content, high moisture content, low volume of fuel.
15 D'Alcamo, Susan; Rice, Carol L. Appropriate Landscaping Plants to Reduce Fire Hazard Date Unk. East Bay Chapter, California Native Plant Society, Berkeley, CA Supplies a list of California native plants to be used to establish a more fire retardant environment because of one or more of the following characteristics: high mineral content, low fuel volume, high moisture content.
16 Red Shingle & Handsplit Shake Bureau The Green Fireman Plan 1988 Red Cedar Shingle & Handsplit Shake Bureau, Bellevue, WA This references bases its recommendations of fire retardance on the following: plants with a high moisture content, low volume shrubs, and (up to a point) plants with a high ash content.
17 Phoenix Team of the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin After the Vision Fire 1996 Phoenix Team of the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin This reference provides a list of suggested fire retardant plants; fire retardant is not defined.
18 Morris, Wendy; Barbar, J.R. Design and Siting Guidelines: Bush Fire Protection for Rural Houses Date Unk. Country Fire Authority, Victoria This reference suggests that the degree of fire retardance of a tree or shrub depends on the amount of moisture in the leaves, the amount of oil or resin in the leaves, and/or the amount of dead matter that remains on the tree. Trees and shrubs were rated as follows: HIGH - most suitable; MODERATE - suitable. Groundcovers were rated as follows: HIGH - very succulent, MODERATE - semi-succulent.
19 Brush Fire Safety Committee Make it Safe to Live in the Hills: Fire Resistant Plants Date Unk. Brush Fire Safety Committte, Los Angeles, CA This reference explains that some plants are relatively non-flammable because they are able to withstand high temperatures for prolonged periods without igniting and do not readily support open flames.
20 Radtke, Klaus W.H. A Homeowner's Guide to Fire and Watershed Management at the Chaparral/Urban Interface 1993 County of Los Angeles, CA Fire retardance was rated as follows: HIGH - very highly fire retardant. MODERATE - medium fire retardance. LOW - low very retardance.
21 Radtke, Klaus W.H. Living More Safely in the Chaparral/Urban Interface Date Unk. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experimant Station, Gen.Technical Report PSW-67 Fire retardance was rated as follows: HIGH - very highly fire retardant. MODERATE - medium fire retardance. LOW - low very retardance.
22 Maire, Richard G.; Goodin, J.R. Landscape for Fire Protection 1969 University of California Agricultural Extension Service Refers to Los Angeles Arboretum research. Makes clear the point that the term "fire resistant" is used, but that there is not a plant that exists that will not burn given the right conditions. Also suggests that well-maintained and well-watered plants will not burn as readily as those left dry and unmaintained.
23 Grounds Maintenance Flirting With Fire 1988 Grounds Maintenance, August 23(8):32,36,38,104. Erosion control was rated as : LOW - 30% or less. MODERATE - 60%. HIGH - 60% or steeper.
24 County of Los Angeles Arboreta & Botanical Gardens Fire Retardant Plants for Hillside Areas 1970 County of Los Angeles Arboreta and Botanical Gardens, Los Angeles, CA Bases fire retardance on relatively high moisture content and prostrate or creeping growth characteristics. Rated as follows: HIGH - succulents (90-95% moisture content). MODERATE - non-succulents(80-95% MC) or 70-80% MC. LOW - 60-75% MC.
25 Santa Barbara City Fire Department Firescape Demonstration Garden Date Unknown Santa Barbara City Fire Department, Santa Barbara, CA. This reference offers only a list of suggested fire retardant plants, no criteria are given.
26 Coate, Barrie Water-Conserving Plants and Landscapes for the Bay Area 1990 East Bay Municipal Utility District Only offers a list of plants considered to be more fire retardant than most plants. No criteria offered.
27 Rice, Carol Effects of Drought on Landscaping in the Paint Fire 1991 Wildland Resource Management, Walnut Creek, CA Lists species with the highest moisture content and therefore probably the most fire retardant. Also lists the driest plants -- these were classified as not being recommended for fire prone areas.
28 City of San Carlos Fire Resistive Plants 1996 The City of San Carlos, CA Gives a list of herbaceous perennials, succulents, trees and groundcovers considered to be fire retardant. No definition offered.
29 Beatty, Russell Designing Gardens for Fire Safety 1991 Department of Landscape Architecture, University of California, Berkeley Rates plants fire retardance based on the following: Broad-leafed plants tend to be more fire retardant than those with needle-like or very fine leaves; dense compact forms and low prostrate plants are more effective at retarding fire than more open or upright plants.
30 Harlass, Sherry How to Firescape to Reduce the Fire Hazard 1993 Nursery Manager, December Defines a fire retardant plant as one that burns slowly.
31 Orinda Fire Protection District Protect Your Home: Landsape For Fire Protection Date Unk. Orinda Fire Protection District Offers a few fire retardant landscape plants with no criteria for classifying them as such.
32 California Department of Forestry Fire Safe, California! Date Unk. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Sacramento, CA Classifies fire retardant plants as those that are hardy succulents and flat ground covering plants that are kept groomed and free of dry leaves.
33 City of Santa Barbara Fire Department City of Santa Barbara Firescapes Demonstration Garden Date Unk. City of Santa Barbara Fire Department, Santa Barbara, CA Defines fire resistant plants as those plants that can regenerate growth, despite burning and fire retardant plants as those which are less flammable than others.
34 Bowker, Mike High Danger this Year: Preventing the Firestorm 1995 Motorland/CSAA, July/August Considers that fire retardant plants share the following characteristics: grow close to the ground, have a low sap or resin content, grow without accumulating dead matter, are easily maintained and pruned, and are often drought tolerant.
35 South County Fire Protecting Your Home From a Brush Fire Date Unk. South County Fire Offers only a list of plants, without explanation or definition.
36 Sunset Protecting Your Home Against Brushfire 1983 Lane Publishing Company Lists succulents as having the greatest fire retardance. Herbaceous perennials if well-watered and woody groundcovers if well-watered are also highly recommended.
37 Department of Water Resources, The Resources Agency Plants for California Landscapes: A Catalog of Drought Tolerant Plants 1979 State of California, The Resources Agency, Department of Water Resources, Bulletin 209, September Offers a list of recommended plants without explanation or definition.
38 LeMay, David B; Wayne G. Mitchell Recommended Low-Fuel Volume Species for San Luis Obispo County 1978 San Luis Obispo, CA: Central Coast Fire Prevention Association Rates species of plants as either having HIGH/MODERATE or LOW fire retardance; no explanation or definition of terms.
39 Martin-Richardson, Brenda; San Luis Obispo County Fire Department A Homeowner's Guide to Fire Resistant Plants for the San Luis Obispo Area Date Unk. San Luis Obispo, CA: CA Dept. of Forestry & Fire Protection and The San Luis Obispo County Fire Dept. Lists fire retardant plants for the San Luis Obispo area; no criteria offered.
40 Moritz, Ray; Pavel Svihra Pyrophytic vs. Fire Resistant Plants 1996 University of California Cooperative Extension HortScript February No. 18 Defines fire resistant as: most broad leaf deciduous trees; leaves tend to be supple, moist and easily crushed; trees tend to be clean, not bushy, and have little deadwood; shrubs are low-growing (<2') with minimal dead material; tall shrubs are clean, not bushy; sap is water-like and typically does not have a strong odor; and plants that will not sustain a flame when ignition is attempted.
41 Moritz, Ray Pyrophytic vs. Fire Resistant Plants 1995 San Rafael Fire Department, FireSafe Marin. May Defines fire resistant as: most broad leaf deciduous trees; leaves tend to be supple, moist and easily crushed; trees tend to be clean, not bushy, and have little deadwood; shrubs are low-growing (<2') with minimal dead material; tall shrubs are clean, not bushy; sap is water-like and typically does not have a strong odor; and plants that will not sustain a flame when ignition is attempted.
42 Perry, Bob Trees and Shrubs for Dry California Landscapes 1989 Land Design Publishing, Claremont, CA Fire retardance was rated as follows: LOW - high fire hazard species and undesirable domestic plant. MODERATE - acceptable domestic plant that requires ample amounts of water for best performance and valuable watershed species that should be thinned to reduce foliage mass, and be retained in limited numbers to prevent high intensity fires. HIGH - low-growing and high fire retarding plants and low fuel volume native and introduced species.
43 Ellefson, Connie Lockhart; Thomas L. Stephens; Doug Welsh, Ph.D. Xeriscape Gardening 1992 Macmillian Publishing Company, New York Offers plant lists only with no definition of drought or drought tolerance.
44 Brenzel, Kathleen Norris (editor) Sunset Western Garden Book 1995 Menlo Park, CA: Sunset Publishing Corporation, March This reference was used to gather mature plant characterisitics and information on drought tolerance, climate zones and erosion control. Drought tolerance is defined as requiring little or no dry season water. Climate zones are defined for the western states, each species is listed with a list of zones that it will tolerate. The zone map for this publication was generated from Sunset Western Garden Book's climate zone information. Note is made if a plant is considered to be useful in erosion control, but further explanation is not offered.
45 U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, Davis, CA Plant Materials Study 1976 U.S Dept. of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, Davis, CA Offers information on plants suitable for erosion control.
46 Deering, Robert Bowman A Study of Drought Resistant Ornamental Plants 1955 Davis, CA: University of California, Davis Offers plant lists only with no definition of drought or drought tolerance.
47 International Erosion Control Association Proceedings of International Erosion Control Association, 8th Conference 1977 Seattle, WA: The Association. Feb 24-25, 1977, Airport Marina Hotel, Burlingame, CA. Offers species recommended for erosion control without providing a rating or a definition.
48 Edmuson, George C. Plant Materials Study: A Search for Drought-Tolerant Plant Materials for Erosion Control, Revegetation and Landscaping along California Highways: Final Report 1976 U.S Dept. of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, Davis, CA Offers plant lists only with no definition of drought or drought tolerance.
49 Resource Management International, Inc. Windbreaks Demonstration Project: Final Report 1988 Sacramento, CA: The Office of Land Conservation, California Department of Conservation Offers plant lists only with no definition of drought or drought tolerance.
50 Lenz, Lee W.; Dourley, John California Native Trees And Shrubs 1981 Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Claremont, CA Offers plant lists only with no definition of drought or drought tolerance.
51 Nehrling, Arno; Irene Nehrling Easy Gardening with Drought-Resistant Plants 1975 New York: Dover Publications, Inc. Defines drought as less than 1" of rainfall/week or
52 Hazlewood, Walter G. A Handbook of Trees, Shrubs, and Roses 1968 Sydney, Australia: Angus & Robertson, LTD Defines drought tolerant plants as those recommended for "hot, dry areas where they will not get any watering."
53 Orange County Fire Department Report of the Wildland/Urban Interface Task Force 1994 Developed by the Orange County Wildland/Urban Interface Task Force Subcommittee on Fuel Modification. July Attachment C Defines plants that are not suitable for fire prone areas as possessing some or all of the following characteristics: are known to be especially combustible; have dry or deciduous foliage during part of the year; develop deciduous or shaggy bark; develop dry or dead undergrowth.
54 Perry, Bob Landscape Plants for Western Regions: An Illustrated Guide to Plants for Water Conservation 1992 Claremont, CA : Land Design Publishing Categorizes landscape plants based on the water needs. Also provides information on the mature characteristics of plants.
55 Hickman, James C. (editor) The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California 1993 University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA Provides information on plant classification and mature plant characteristics.
56 The Staff of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium, Cornell University Hortus Third: A Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in the United States and Canada 1976 New York, NY: MacMillan Publishing Company, Inc. Provides detailed information on mature plant characteristics.
57 Costello, L.R.; K.A. Jones Water Use Classification of Landscape Species: A Guide to the Water Needs of Landscape Plants 1994 Half Moon Bay, CA: University of California Cooperative Extension, San Mateo/San Francisco Counties Provides recommended watering for over 1200 landscapes plants based on 6 climate regions of California.