Column: Slow the spread of fire? ‘We have to get rid of the palm trees’

Kathryn Barger’s mother emphasized the importance of trees in a community, but with the flammability of Southern California in mind, experts recommend planting fire-resistant vegetation like California live oak and sycamore trees to protect homes from wildfires. Brush clearance should focus on the right kind of vegetation, such as chaparral and sage scrub, rather than non-native grasses. In rebuilding areas like Altadena and the Palisades, recommended plants include oak, sycamore, toyon, lemonade berry, and lilac, while trees like Mexican fan palms and Italian cypress are considered highly flammable and should be avoided.

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