Rogue Valley Fire Prevention

Fire-Resistant Plants

No plant is fire-proof, but fire-resistant plants will not contribute to furthering fire intensity, and are therefore a good choice for landscaping.   

There are many species of fire-resistant plants in existence (most deciduous trees and shrubs are fire-resistant), and they share the following characteristics:

Pictured Below: Roses-- a fire resistant plant species

  • Leaves are moist and supple
  • Plants have little dead wood and tend not to accumulate dry, dead material within the plant
  • Sap is water-like and does not have a strong odor
  • Sap or resin materials are low 

Some plants are not only not fire-resisitant-- they may in fact fuel flame intensity (juniper, sagebrush, bitterbrush, manzanita, & ceanothus, for example). These species should not be planted around the home.  Characteristics of highly flammable plants include:

Pictured Below: Gorse-- not fire resistant (flammable)

  • Plants that 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 (exhibiting a strong odor when crushed)
  • Sap is gummy, resinous, and has a strong odor
  • May have loose or papery bark

(Info gathered from: Fire-Resistant Plants For Home Landscapes- A Pacific Northwest Exension Publication)

For more information on fire-resistant plants, follow the links provided below: