Northstar Fire Department, Fire Resistant Landscaping Plant List

Many common plants naturally resist fire and can even slow its spread. In general, irrigated and well maintained leafy plants burn slowly. By replacing highly flammable vegetation with these fire resistant recommended species, you can significantly improve the statistical survivability of your home when a wildfire threatens. Courtesy of the “Villager Nursery” in Truckee, this list of fire resistive plants should be considered when enhancing or adding landscape.

Here are some other key components to remember when selecting appropriate fire resistant landscaping plants.

 Choose plants that don’t produce much litter such as dead branches and twigs  Plants that produce oils, resins or waxes should be avoided  When planting from the approved list, appropriately space plants to prevent fire spread  Never plant under conifer trees, this can create a ladder effect which allows smaller ground fires the ability to transfer into larger trees creating crown fires  To help ensure their fire resistance, plants must be maintained, watered, and pruned.

Routine care will provide you with an attractive defensible space landscape and help ensure the survival of your property in the event of a wildfire. Northstar Fire Department enforces both State and District fire codes that may directly affect your landscape. Northstar Fire Department recommends that prior to changing your landscape you consult with us in order to make sure your property will be compliant with applicable fire codes.

Trees

Common Name Scientific Name Please note that there Apple Malus spp. may be other vegetative Bigtooth Maple Acer grandidentatum species that are Cherry Prunus spp. appropriate for planting Chokecherry Prunus virginiana and this list has been Cottonwood Populus trichocarpa modified to demonstrate Hawthorne Crataegus spp. what is best suited for Hedge Maple Acer campestre the Community of Maple Acer spp. Northstar based on our Mountain Ash Sorbus spp. elevation, and climate. Northern Red Oak Quercus rubra Paper birch Betula papyrifera Poplar Populus spp. Quaking Aspen Populus tremuloides Western Larch larix occidentalis Western River Birch Betula occidentalis Back Herbaceous and Perennial Ground Cover Shrubs

Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name Allium Allium spp. American Cranberry Viburnum trilobum Bergenia Bergenia cordifolia Amur Maple Acer ginnala Bishop’s Weed Aegopodium podograria Bearberry Cotoneaster Cotoneaster dammeri `Eichholz` Blanket Flower Gaillardia spp. Bearberry Manzanita Arctostaphylos uva-ursi cv. Bugleweed Ajuga reptans Buffaloberry Shepherdia spp. California poppy Eschschilzia californica Chokecherry Prunus virginiana Candytuft Iberis sempervirens Currant Ribes spp. Columbine Aquilegia spp. Douglas Hawthorne Crataegus douglasii Coral Bells Heuchera spp. Dwarf Burning Bush Euonymus alatus `compactus' Coreopsis Coreopsis spp. Dwarf Purple Willow Salix purpurea `nana` Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata French Lilac Syringa vulgaris Creeping Thyme Thymus praecox Goldflame Spirea Spiraea x bumalda `Goldflame` Creeping Yarrow Achillea tomentosa Hardy Shrub Rose Rosa spp. Daylily Hemerocalis spp. Lilac Syringa spp. Delphinium Delphinium spp. Malus sargentii Sargent Crabapple Dianthus Dianthus spp. Mockorange Philadelphus lewisii Dwarf periwinkle Vinca minor Mountain Alder Alnus tenuifolia English Lavender Lavendula angustifolia Mountain lover Paxistima canbyi Evening Primrose Oenothera spp. Mountain Maple Acer glabrum Fescue Festuca spp. Mountain Spray Holodiscus spp. Fireweed Epilobium angustifolium Northern Lights Azalea Rhododendron `North`n Lights` Flax linum spp. Oregon Grape Mahonia spp. Fleabane Erigeron spp. Raspberry Rubus spp. Hardly Ice Plant Delosperma spp. Red-twig Dogwood Cornus sericea Hardy Geranium Geranium spp. Russian Olive Eleagnus angustifolia Hens and Chicks Sempervivum tectorum Sandcherry Prunus besseyi Honeysuckle Lonicera spp. Scouler's Willow Salix scouleriana Hosta/Funkia Hosta spp. Serviceberry Amelanchier spp Iris Iris spp. Shrubby Cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa Ivy hedera helix Sierra Currant Ribes nevadense Jupiter’s Beard Centranthus ruber Skunkbush Rhus trilobata Lamb's Ear Stachys byzantina Snowberry Symphirocarpos spp. Lamium/Deadnettle Lamium spp. Sumac Rhus spp. Lavandin Lavendula x intermedia Thimbleberry Rubus parviflorus Lavender Cotton Santolina virens Vine Maple Acer circinatum Lily-of-the-Valley Convallaria majallis Western Spirea Spiraea douglasii Mahonia Berberis spp. Willow Salix spp. Penstemon Penstemon spp. Wood's Rose Rosa woodsii ultramontana Poppy Papaver spp. Purple Coneflower Echinaceae spp. Pussytoes Antennaria spp. Red Hot Poker Kniphoffia uvaria Rock Cress Aubretia deltoidia Rocky Mountain Penstemon Penstemon strictus Sage/Salvia Salvia spp. Sea Thrift Armeria maritima Shasta daisy Leucanthemum x superbum Snow in summer Cerastium tomentosum Spotted Lungwort Pulmonaria longifolia Spring Cinquefoil Potentilla (herbaceous spp.) Statice Limonium perezii Stonecrop/Sedum Sedum spp. Strawberry Fragaria spp. Sunrose Helianthemum nummularium Sweet William Dianthus barbatus Violet/Viola Viola spp. Wild Ginger Asarum caudatum Yarrow Achillea spp. Yucca Yucca spp.