Choosing the right plants/trees
Choosing the right plants for our hardiness zone gives the plant the ability to withstand an average minimum temperature. Sundre can vary from a Zone 2 to a 3, depending location.
Many tree, shrubs and flowers require low water usage. If using FireSmart plants that require more water, group them together tobe water efficient in the event of a water ban.
A well maintained lawn can serve as an effective fire break.
Although bark and pine needle mulches or other plant based mulches have many benefits, they are also susceptible to ignition from embers. When landscaping against your home, consider using gravel or rock to reduce the risk for fire.
Fire Resistant Plants
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moist, supple leaves
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little dead wood and tendancy to not accumulate dead material
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water-like sap with little to no odor
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low amount of sap or resin material
Highly Flammable Plants
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contain fine dry dead matrial within the plant
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plant stem, branches and leaves contain volatile waxes, terpenes or oils
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gummy resinous sap with a strong odor
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loose papery bark
Plant Characteristics
For more information and landscaping ideas click here
SPECIES
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Aspen
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Birch
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Lodgepole Pine
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Poplar
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Black Spruce
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White Spruce
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Engelmann Spruce
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Jack Pine
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Maple
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White Pine
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Ponderossa Pine
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Western Red Cedar
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Mountain Hemlock
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Western Hemlock
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Douglas-Fir
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Grand Fir
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Sub-alpine Fir
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Western Larch
Aspen
Birch
Lodgepole Pine
Poplar
Black Spruce
White Spruce
Maple
Engelmann Spruce
Jack Pine
White Pine
Ponderosa Pine
Western Red Cedar
Mountin Hemlock
Douglas Fir
Grand Fir
Sub-Alpine Fir
Western Larch
Very Low
Low
High
Very Low
Very High
High
Very Low
High
High
Medium
Medium
High
High
High
High
High
Low
Trees in red are common to the Sundre area