Dear Editor,
Keith Muraoka’s column on fire-retardant landscaping is as likely to confuse readers as to edify them.
In one part, Maureen Gilmer is quoted as saying “Some of the more popular native trees and shrubs become very volatile especially as they age, die and dry out, making them fuel for fire'” without identifying any of them. This statement is true of all dead plants, not natives alone. Moreover, native plants are the best adapted to survive our summers and stay green.
In another part of the same article, the following plants are recommended: ceanothus, live oak, saltbush, western redbud, and toyon. No mention is made that these particular plants are California natives.
When attention is drawn to the the flaws of native plants but not to their benefits, the reader is left with a negative impression of native plants in general. What plant was the biggest contributor to the Oakland Hills inferno of 1991? The popular non-native eucalyptus.
I must also caution readers about a few plants on the recommended list. Iceplant, vinca major, cotoneaster, and pyracantha are invasive plants according to the California Invasive Plant Council. These invasive plants are best avoided, especially if one lives in the country where they are likely to escape and do greatest damage to the environment.
And finally, a note about iceplant: this plant is a fire retardant all right, but when used on slopes, its shallow roots and heavy tops inevitably lead to erosion. Drive down U.S. 101 from Gilroy to Salinas to see many examples of this landscaping blunder. The best plants for slopes are native plants whose extensive roots help bind the soil.
We should follow all responsible guidelines for fire prevention, such as a 30-foot buffer zone around the house. I encourage readers to take a closer look at California native plants, and learn which can be used without adding to the fire risk. We live in California; it should be a point of pride for us to use California native plants in our home gardens and landscapes.
Arvind Kumar, San Jose
