Here’s the Scoop! Benefits of thinning on

Forests around Flagstaff have changed your property: Thinning dense stands of trees does more than reduce the risk of devastating . dramatically in the last 100 years. Healthy • Increased Home & Property Values It increases health and scenic beauty have been replaced by dense stands o Improved scenic beauty. while helping improve residential property of trees at greater risk to wildfire, disease o Open stands more appealing to values. and insect epidemics, and . homebuyers.

1898 o Larger and healthier residual trees. In fact, market value increases an average o Expanded views of surrounding of $200 or more dollars for each ¼ acre of landscape. properly thinned land surrounding a home or o Increased sunlight reaching the forest property. floor.

A properly thinned buffer 1/3 mile (.5 km) around the typical Flagstaff home can • Reduced Risk of Devastating Wildfire increase the overall market value nearly o Lower risk of destructive fire. $40,000. o Slower rates of spread. o Less intense fire. Studies have shown that homebuyers prefer o Increased firefighter safety. a forest with medium canopy closure and Greater ability of firefighters to Here you can see the open forests that once o moderate tree density. This is exactly the successfully fight fires. forest treatment recommended by the existed around Flagstaff. o Reduced suppression cost. Flagstaff Fire Department (FFD). Increased homeowner and 1998 o This treatment creates a forest with reduced neighborhood safety. risk of devastating wildfire, increased scenic beauty, and improved overall forest health. • Improved Forest Health Increased availability of moisture, o There is no better time than the present to nutrients and sunlight to remaining prepare for wildfire! trees. o More abundant growth of native and wildflowers. o Heightened resistance of trees to insects, disease, and drought. 100 years later…Dense stands of trees have o Increased growth and vigor of replaced the open pine stands that once remaining trees. existed around Flagstaff. o Improved wildlife habitat.

The Facts: For More Information:

There are over 200 a year in the Dollars and $ense greater Flagstaff area. An average of 60-80 wildfires occur each year in the City alone. The value of thinning

Much of the Wildland Urban Interface your trees (WUI) surrounding Flagstaff is currently rated as a moderate to high risk of catastrophic wildfire.

Fires in densely forested areas pose a significant threat to homes and businesses in the WUI, endanger the health of our forests, 211 West Aspen St and jeopardize wildlife habitat, recreational Flagstaff, AZ 86001 opportunities, and other forest values. (928) 213-2500

In addition, studies show that dense stands or of trees lower scenic quality, a key component of home and property value. Visit our website at: www.flagstaff.az.gov/wildlandfire Known as Scenic Beauty to experts, this component is considered ideal in stands with Information used to create this brochure was developed medium canopy closure and moderate tree using data published in “The Impact of Forest Density on Property Values” (Journal of 2004, Vol. 103, density, which is the selective thinning Number 3) and “Dollars & $ense About Your Trees” prescription FFD recommends. (Colorado State University,1979).

Neighborhoods and multiple homes can benefit from a single large treatment on an adjacent or nearby parcel. Are You

Thinning trees around your house not only reduces the risk of destructive wildfire but may also increase the market value of your home.

Prepared?