California has had a long history of wildfires. The best thing a property owner can do is have defensible space and fire resistant landscape. Fire-resistant landscape uses fire-resistant plants that are strategically planted to resist the spread of wildfire. Fire resistant plants are great because they are often drought tolerant too.
A fire-resistant landscape can increase your property value and conserve water while beautifying your surroundings.
Choose:
Hardy, slow growing plants that don't produce a lot of undergrowth.
There are no “fire-proof” plants. Select high-moisture plants that grow close to the ground and have a low sap or resin content.
Drought tolerant native plants that can maintain a high internal water content without needing a lot of water like succulents.
Native trees that have adaptations to fire such as thick bark. These trees have a higher tolerance for fire and help restrict the growth of more volatile invasive and shrub species.
Avoid:
Plants like juniper, Italian cypress, feather and fountain grasses.
Trees like eucalyptus and palms which are highly flammable. Also avoid pine, fir and other conifers.
Invasive plants that can create a continuous fuel source for fire
The other important factor in fire resistance landscape is having fire-resistant zones with rocks, stone walls, patios, decks, and walkways.
If you would like help with your landscape, contact us! We have been serving Southern California for over 30 years!
Established in 1988, Pacific Vista Landscape Services manages every aspect of landscaping maintenance and design. We provide innovative solutions to meet landscaping requirements and achieve water savings goals for commercial complexes, HOA's, resorts, industrial complexes, schools, and retail centers, and residences.
A Great Addition to Your California Landscape
Mulberry trees are native to the midwest and China, but do well in California too! There are fruitless and fruit-bearing mulberry trees, all of which are fast growing and do well in drought conditions.
Mulberry trees love lots of sun and can grow well from a cutting. It is a deciduous tree that starts to produce fruit at a young age and can live over 75 years. The fruitless variety is used to feed silk worms. They can get very large and can be as wide as they are tall. This makes them a great shade tree!
The fruit-bearing trees are special. Mulberries are high in antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Iron, Fiber, Riboflavin, Magnesium, and Potassium. Dr. Oz calls the mulberries a “super-food” that also provides protein. The juicy berries can be white, red, and very dark purple, and look similar to blackberries. They are also great for attracting birds to your garden.
Keep in mind that since they are fast growing, they can damage hardscapes, like walkways, with their roots. Also, the fruit can be messy during the spring to summer yield, so another reason to plant them away from walkways.
At Pacific Vista Landscape Services, our professionals are experts not only with soft and hard landscapes, but trees of all kinds. We offer a tree maintenance program to keep your trees healthy for years!
Call us today at 1-661-222-7525
