Fire Risk Reduction Landscape Zones

Landscapes in moderate to extreme fire risk areas need to have a zoned landscape to protect people and structures from the risks posed by wildfire.

Zone 1: Defensible Space

Zone 2: Fuel Reduction

Zone 3: Transition Zone

Zone 4: Perimeter Fuel Management

(to be continued)

Florida Landscape Fire Risk Assessment

Many of Florida's natural ecosystems have evolved in association with fire. Some, such as pine flatwoods, require fire to maintain their habitat. Fire occurs with greater frequency in some ecosystems more than others. Below is a quick screening tool to determine fire risk in Florida.

Low Risk:

• A clear view through the undeveloped area
• Bare ground or few plants growing low to the ground
• Improved pasture or widely spaced grassy clumps or plants
• Scattered palmettos or shrubs up to 3 feet tall separated by patches of grass or sand
• Grasses to 4 feet tall (except Cogongrass)
• Continuous thin layer of pine needles under scattered pine trees
• Large trees, or mostly broadleaf trees
• Oak leaves or broad leaves covering the ground
• Moist forest or hardwood swamp

Medium Risk:

• A clear view above the shrubs into the undeveloped area
• Continuous thick layer of pine needles and scattered pine trees
• Grasses 4-6 feet tall (or Cogongrass)
• Palmetto or gallberry (Ilex glabra) 3 to 6 feet tall with scattered pine trees
• Scrub vegetation less than 6 feet tall with or without sand pine
• Dense, young pine trees 20 to 60 feet tall
• Cypress swamp

High Risk:

• No clear view into the undeveloped area because of dense growth
• Thick, continuous grasses, weeds, or shrubs more than 3 feet tall
• Palmetto/Gallberry over 6 feet tall with scattered pine trees
• Palmetto/Gallberry 3 to 6 feet tall with a dense pine canopy (75% crown closure)
• Thick vines growing up trees
• Medium-size trees or cabbage palms beneath taller pine trees
• Impenetrable shrubs or young pines
• Scrub vegetation over 6 feet tall, with or without sand pine

Extreme Risk:

• Palmetto/Gallberry over 6 feet tall with dense pine canopy
• Sand pine scrub with dense pine canopy
• Dense Melaleuca

Source: Florida Department of Community Affairs (2004). Wildfire mitigation in Florida. http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/DCP/hazardmitigation/pubs.htm

Southern Magnolia - Magnolia grandiflora

Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora



The Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is grown for its intoxicating and showy white flowers and handsome, glossy evergreen foliage. It is a large, stately evergreen tree that is useful in defining the edges of larger landscapes and can be used as a specimen. The large, leathery leaves are slow to decompose and it is hard to grow other plants underneath Southern Magnolias. Plants are drought tolerant once established but trees growing in urban environments where they get reflected heat from pavement or buildings may require supplemental water.

Plant Characteristics

Height: 30 to 100 feet
Spread: 20 to 50 feet

Native Range: Native to woodlands and wet hardwood hammocks throughout north and central Florida.
Leaves: Large leathery leaves that are dark green and glossy. Some plants have cinnamon-colored undersides of the leaves that are attractive to showy.
Flowers: White flowers to 12 inches across. Fragrant.
Fruit: Red seeds are showy in the Autumn and occur on fuzzy brown cone-like structures. Birds eat the seeds.
Bark: Southern Magnolias have smooth gray bark.

Culture

Soil: Prefers rich moist soil with a pH range between 4.5-6.5. Tolerates some salt.
Water: Prefers well-drained, moist sites. Survives in most situations without supplemental moisture.
Exposure: Full sun is best. Tolerates part-shade. Does not grow well in deep shade.
Pests: Scale and Mealybugs

Additional Information:
There are several different cultivated varieties available in Florida nurseries.

Live Oak Native Plant Community List

The following native plants make up the Live Oak (Quercus viginiana) plant community in Florida:

• Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
  
• Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
  
• Wild Olive (Osmanthus americanus)
  
• Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto)
  
• Red Bay (Persea borbonia)
  
• Lancewood (Ocotea coriacea)
  
• Pigeon Plum (Coccoloba diversifolia)
  
• Gumbo Limbo (Bursera simaruba)
  
• Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata)
  
• Basswood (Tilia americana)
  
• Blue Beech (Carpinus caroliniana)
  
• Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
  
• Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
  
• American Holly (Ilex opaca)
  
• American Hophornbeam (Ostraya virginiana)
  
• Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
  
• Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix)
  
• Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor)
  
• Other Oak species (Quercus spp.)
  

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) - Majestic garden or street tree

Live Oak
Quercus virginiana

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) is a massive, spreading evergreen tree with a short, stocky trunk and massive horizontal branches. The broad, spreading crown is majestic and sculptural. Long-lived and resists wind damage from hurricanes. Moderate growth rate when young; slows down as the tree grows in size.

Uses: Use Live Oak as a shade or specimen tree for large spaces. It can be used in large residential gardens, but is more frequently used in public landscapes. Use in parks, golf courses, school campuses and as a street tree. Tolerates parking lot conditions.
Height: 40 to 80 feet
Spread: 60 to 130 feet
Native Habitat: Live Oak is found in a wide variety of habitats and ecosystems in the state of Florida. It grows statewide and succeeds inland and along the coast. The largest trees grow in wet hardwood hammocks.

Plant Characteristics

Flowers: Inconspicuous. Not grown for its flowers.
Leaves: Leaves are alternate and dark green on the upper surface and lighter in color on the reverse. The leathery leaves grow from 1 to 5 inches long. Evergreen.
Fruit: Acorn. Acorns usually occur in clusters of 2 to 5. The cap covers 1/3rd of the acorn.
Bark: Mature trees have dark gray bark with vertical fissures. Young trees have light gray bark.

Culture

Soil: Does best in moist, fertile soils and prefers a pH between 4.5 to 6.5 but will tolerate moderately alkaline soil. Tolerates salt spray and does well near the coast.
Water: Drought tolerant. Performs best in well-drained soils but will tolerate most wet soils.
Exposure: Full sun.
Hardiness Zones: USDA Zone 8-11
Life Span: Matures trees can live over 300 years.

Additional Information: The pollen can cause allergic reactions in some people. Acorns are a great food source for wildlife. Spanish moss is frequently found growing on the branches.