The higher rainfall this winter has many drought-weary Californians breathing a sigh of relief. The precipitation is truly welcome across California in hopes it will help our drought conditions. According to weather.com, there is more rain coming this winter and being prepared can make all the difference.
With a pattern of consecutive dry seasons, many trees, including drought-sensitive as well as species that are normally considered drought-tolerant, can exhibit symptoms of drought stress.
Roots can be damaged, especially the feeder roots and root hairs, which are in the top 12 inches of the soil and are responsible for uptake of water and nutrients. These are the first portion of the root system to be affected by drought since they are very sensitive to drying.
Damage to the root system can also trigger metabolic changes which can affect growth. In addition, drought stressed trees are predisposed to secondary invaders and opportunistic pests. All of this weakens the tree, from the roots to its branches. Have your trees checked by a professional for drought stress. Trimming trees before heavy rain could prevent random breakage and help the tree avoid secondary problems.
The following are some measures for homeowners to keep their property ready for winter weather:
Have your trees checked and trimmed, beginning of winter is ideal
Clean gutters, downspouts, and drains
Invest in a generator in case of power outages
Turn off your automatic watering system unless it's a Smart Meter
Add mulch to your plant beds to increase the absorption of water
Taking these steps ahead of time is a good idea. In addition to preparing your property, remember to put together emergency supply kits for your home and car. Enjoy the rain! Our experts at Pacific Vista Landscape Services are here for all your landscaping needs!
All of california is at risk for wildfires. Once there was a 'wildfire season' but now the possibility of wildfires stretches across most the year. Creating defensible space is important to improve your home's or commercial property's ability to survive a wildfire. It’s the space you make between your property's buildings and the surrounding area of landscape. This space is broken down into two zones which act as a buffers between your surroundings.
The buffer zones are essential to help prevent the spread of fire to your property. Defensible space is important to give firefighters a chance to properly defend your property and to increase their safety while doing so.
100 Feet of Defensible Space Required by Law
Back in January 2005, state law became effective that extended the defensible space clearance around homes and structures from 30 feet to 100 feet. Studies showed that proper clearance to 100 feet dramatically increases the chance of your house surviving a wildfire.
Defensible Space Zones
Two zones make up the required 100 feet of defensible space. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and ReadyforWildfire.org have great tips to create a “LEAN, CLEAN and GREEN ZONE” by removing all flammable vegetation within 30 feet immediately surrounding your home. Then create a “REDUCED FUEL ZONE” in the remaining 70 feet or to your property line.
Zone 1
Zone 1 extends 30 feet* out from buildings, structures, decks, etc.
Remove all dead plants, grass and weeds (vegetation).
Remove dead or dry leaves and pine needles from your yard, roof and rain gutters.
Trim trees regularly to keep branches a minimum of 10 feet from other trees.
Remove branches that hang over your roof and keep dead branches 10 feet away from your chimney.
Relocate wood piles into Zone 2.
Remove or prune flammable plants and shrubs near windows.
Remove vegetation and items that could catch fire from around and under decks.
Create a separation between trees, shrubs and items that could catch fire, such as patio furniture, wood piles, swing sets, etc.
Zone 2
Zone 2 extends 100 feet out from buildings, structures, decks, etc.
Cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of 4 inches.
Create horizontal spacing between shrubs and trees. (See diagram)
Create vertical spacing between grass, shrubs and trees. (See diagram)
Remove fallen leaves, needles, twigs, bark, cones, and small branches. However, they may be permitted to a depth of 3 inches.
* San Diego County requires 50 feet of clearance in Zone 1. Check with your local fire department for any additional defensible space or weed abatement ordinances.
Plant and Tree Spacing
The spacing between grass, shrubs, and trees is crucial to reduce the spread of wildfires. The spacing needed is determined by the type and size of brush and trees, as well as the slope of the land. For example, a property on a steep slope with larger vegetation requires greater spacing between trees and shrubs than a level property that has small, sparse vegetation.
Vertical Spacing
Remove all tree branches at least 6 feet from the ground. Allow extra vertical space between shrubs and trees. Lack of vertical space can allow a fire to move from the ground to the brush to the tree tops like a ladder. To determine the proper vertical spacing between shrubs and the lowest branches of trees, use the formula below.
Example: A five foot shrub is growing near a tree. 3×5 = 15 feet of clearance needed between the top of the shrub and the lowest tree branch.
Horizontal Spacing
Horizontal spacing depends on the slope of the land and the height of the shrubs or trees. Check the chart below to determine spacing distance.
Our team at Pacific Vista Landscape Services can help your home or commercial property meet the Defensible Space requirements. Call us today for a free estimate and see what we can do for you!
Here are other helpful articles on defensible space:
Fire Resistant Plants for Southern California
Seasonal Ways to Reduce Wildifre Risk
Fire-Wise Landscaping
Updated: Oct 26, 2021
Beautiful landscape can add value and appeal to public areas. Choosing the right combination of plants and hardscapes, along with proper irrigation and drainage, makes for a successful landscaping project that can be inviting, visually pleasing and last for years.
Whether you choose Pacific Vista Landscape Services, or another company, make sure to choose one that will be able to employ skilled horticulturalists and landscape professionals to help combine natural elements with man-made elements to create a beautiful commercial green space.
Hiring a company with a range of services can be easier than hiring subcontractors for each part. In addition to creating new projects, we also can renovate existing commercial outdoor areas and update irrigation systems. A well rounded commercial landscape company should offer the following:
Complete Landscape design
Complete Landscape construction, including hardscapes and water features
Commercial Landscape Maintenance
Commercial Irrigation Installation and Service, Including Backflow
Design & Construction
Whether starting from scratch or updating an existing area, our professionals take time to properly assess your current space. They look for issues related to erosion, drainage, health and appeal. Then they design proper drainage for the site, as well as smart irrigation systems which saves money by only watering when needed. In addition, we can update older systems with new technology.
We can also create a silva cell, an underground infrastructure system that provides stormwater management. Another great water saving option is bioretention beds, in which a shallow basin is filled with native plants specifically chosen to capture and treat runoff. Dry river beds are also visually nice and add directional run-off which is helpful to get water where you need it.
We then construct or renovate your space using these elements and add chosen amenities that will enhance the property, like pathways and outdoor living areas. Our horticulturists then choose plants that make the most sense for your design and conditions. Commercial landscape design and construction includes the following:
Softscapes with Plants and Trees
Hardscapes i.e.pathways, retaining walls, decks, stairs, built-in seating
Water Features i.e. ponds, streams, fountains
Smart Irrigation
Dry River Beds
Silva Cell Systems
Bioretention Beds
Fencing
Planters
BBQ Area
Fire Pit
Dog Park
Playground
Bike / Running Path
Outdoor Gym
Once your project is built or renovated, we offer a commercial maintenance plan to keep your property looking good! We can add seasonal flowers, prune trees, and check that everything is the way it should be on a regular basis. We take care of many commercial properties in Southern California, including schools, hospitals, condos, HOAs, resorts, and museums. Contact us or call us today at 661-222-7525 and see what we can do for you!
