Do you live near a forest or in a risk area? Be careful, because to prevent fires from starting or from spreading, certain plants should be kept out of your garden. The reason ? They are flammable and can cause a lot of damage. Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of affected plants.
Which plants are flammable?
In theory, all plants are flammable if not maintained regularly. That is why it is important to maintain your garden if you live in a risk zone. Dry and dead leaves, dense and profuse foliage or plants with a high oil and resin content are also not recommended. But that’s not all, there are also dangerous plants in drought because they can catch fire quickly. Below is a non-exhaustive list of prohibited plants.
Bamboo
It is beautiful, soothing and gives your garden a Zen vibe. We want to talk about bamboo (from the scientific name Bambuseae), this Asian plant robust is highly flammable because of its density. So better avoid!
Cypress
The green cypress is one of the most flammable plants, so much so that firefighters are increasingly concerned that residents are growing them in their gardens. When the leaves die, they become trapped in the tree, forming an extremely combustible material.
Eucalyptus
Another plant that can quickly promote the spread of a fire: eucalyptus. In addition, it is toxic to humans and animals because it releases toxins that can block cellular respiration. All the more reason not to plant it in your garden.
juniper berry
nickname “petrol factory” by firefighters, juniper (Juniperus virginiana) is highly flammable. And it’s not for nothing that it contains resins that can catch fire quickly. In addition, the dead leaves, like the cypress, accumulate in the tree, which can be problematic in case of fire.
pampas grass
Particularly prized for its feather-like plumes, pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) is considered a “weed” because: it’s invasive. It spreads quickly in our gardens, and often in risk areas, which can have terrible consequences in the event of a fire.
rosemary
Rosemary (from the scientific name Rosmarinus officinalis) is a shrub valued for its fragrance that reminds us of Provence. Only drawback: it tolerates drought well and contains highly flammable oils.
This is of course a non-exhaustive list. So before you put your hands on the ground, make sure you don’t live in a risk area… To continue, here are 6 essential actions to prevent forest fires from starting.