Planting and Pruning for a Fire-Resistant Landscape
Pruning
Generally it is recommended to prune vegetation in the winter months before new growth begins to develop.
There are several reasons for pruning, including: training your plant, maintaining plant health, improving the quality of plant foliage and fruit and to restrict excessive growth.
Pruning Small Diameter Branches
Cut small branches beyond a hearty bud, or at an intersecting branch.
Cut above a bud that is pointing in the direction of the desired new growth. Avoid damaging the bud by cutting it too closely.
Removing Large Branches
Any branch over 1 ½ inches should be pruned by making three separate cuts.
(A)Make a partial cut from beneath.
(B)Make a second cut from above several inches out to allow the limb to fall.
(C) Complete the job with a final cut just outside the branch collar.
Fire-Resistant vs. Flammable
FIRE-RESISTANT plants play a key role in reducing a home’s vulnerability to wildfire. Planting native, fire-resistant plants is great way to add colorful landscaping and extra fire protection. When shopping for plants, keep these helpful tips in mind:
• Leaves should be moist and supple.
• Plants should have little dead wood and tend not to accumulate dry, dead material.
• The sap should have a water-like consistency and little to no odor.
• The sap or resin materials should be low.
Most deciduous trees and shrubs are fire-resistant. But remember, fire-resistant DOES NOT mean fire-proof.
FIRE VULNERABLE plants are highly flammable and generally have these characteristics:
• Contain fine, dry, or dead material within the plant, such as twigs, needles and leaves.
• Leaves, twigs, and stems contain volatile waxes, terpenes, or oils.
• Leaves are aromatic (strong odor when crushed).
• Sap is gummy, resinous, and has a strong odor.
• May have loose or papery bark.
**Information obtained from the Oregon State University Extension Office. **
The Oregon Department of Forestry and local Grange Co-Op nurseries have collaborated to supply fire-resistant plant information. Displays, brochures and plant stakes are dispersed throughout the nurseries making it easy to find what plants will better protect your home. Look for these identifiers:
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Chimney Safety Check
The National Fire Protection Association Standard says, "Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary" (NFPA). Even if you don’t use your chimney often, blockages could exist from animal nests and debris making it unsafe to use your heat source. 
The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that “open masonry fireplaces should be cleaned at 1/8" of sooty buildup, and sooner if there is any glaze present in the system” (CSIA). Factory-built fireplaces need to be cleaned when any type of buildup occurs; this is done to prevent flue fires and the potential loss of homes.
For more information please visit: www. csia.org
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