by F.C. Dennis * (1/12)
Quick Facts…
- FireWise landscaping can be aesthetically pleasing while reducing potential wildfire fuel.
- Plant choice, spacing and maintenance are critical.
- Your landscape, and the plants in it, must be maintained to retain their FireWise properties.
Creating a “defensible space” around your home is one of the most important and effective steps you can take to protect you, your family and your home from catastrophic wildfire. Defensible space is the area between a structure and an oncoming wildfire where nearby vegetation has been modified to reduce a wildfire’s intensity. (See fact sheet 6.302, Creating Wildfire-Defensible Zones.)
Many people resist creating defensible space around their homes because they believe these areas will be unattractive and unnatural. This is far from true. With careful planning, FireWise landscaping can be aesthetically pleasing while reducing potential wildfire fuel. It can actually enhance beauty and property values, as well as personal safety.
Many native plants are highly flammable during different seasons of the year. At such times, left unmanaged, they can accelerate the spread of a wildfire through your neighborhood, threatening homes, property and lives.
All vegetation, naturally occurring and otherwise, is potential fuel for fire. Its type, amount and arrangement has a dramatic effect on fire behavior. There are no truly “fireproof” plant species, so plant choice, spacing and maintenance are critical to defensible space landscaping. In fact, where and how you plant may be more important than what you plant. However, given alternatives, choose plant species that tend to be more resistant to wildfire.
General concepts to keep in mind when choosing and planting FireWise species are:
- A plant’s moisture content is the single most important factor governing its volatility. (However, resin content and other factors in some species render them flammable even when the plant is well-watered.) Conifers tend to be flammable due to their oil and pitch content, regardless of their water content.
- Deciduous plants tend to be more fire resistant because their leaves have higher moisture content and their basic chemistry is less flammable. Also, when deciduous trees are dormant, there is less fuel to carry fire through their canopies.
In some cases, there is a strong correlation between drought tolerance and fire resistance. For example, a plant may shed its leaves or needles during extreme drought. Other drought-tolerant species may have smaller leaves or thick, succulent leaves. These plants offer less fuel or have a higher moisture content, both of which help reduce fire hazard.
There also appears to be a correlation between a plant’s salt tolerance and natural fire resistance. Plants adapted to salty conditions, and actually growing in salty situations, may better resist burning.
Plants for a FireWise Landscape Plants that are more resistant to wildfire have one or more of the following characteristics:
- They grow without accumulating large amounts of combustible dead branches, needles or leaves (example: aspen).
- They have open, loose branches with a low volume of total vegetation (examples: currant and mountain mahogany).
- They have low sap or resin content (examples: many deciduous species).
- They have high moisture content (examples: succulents and some herbaceous species).
- They grow slowly and need little maintenance (do not need frequent pruning).
- They are short and grow close to the ground (examples: wildflowers and groundcovers).
- They can resprout following fire, thus reducing re-landscaping costs (example: aspen).
Additional FireWise Guidelines
Some additional tips to follow when planning a FireWise landscape include:
- Landscape according to the recommended defensible-space zones. The plants nearest your home should be more widely spaced and smaller than those farther away.
- Plant in small, irregular clusters and islands, not in large masses.
- Break up the continuity of the vegetation (fuel) with decorative rock, gravel and stepping stone pathways. This will help modify fire behavior and slow its spread across your property.
- Plant a variety of types and species. Besides being aesthetically pleasing, this will help ensure a healthier forest by reducing Insects and diseases. Healthy, vigorous, thinned forests can better resist catastrophic fires than unhealthy ones with insect and disease problems.
- In the event of drought and water rationing, prioritize the plants you wish to save. Provide supplemental water to those nearest your home, perhaps using “gray water.”
- Mulch to conserve moisture and reduce weed growth. Mulch can be organic (wood chips or small bark pieces) or inorganic (gravel or rock). Avoid pine bark, thick layers of pine needles or other materials that can easily carry fire.
Don’t Forget Maintenance
A landscape is a dynamic, constantly changing system. Plants considered “fire resistant” and that have low fuel volumes can lose these characteristics over time. Your landscape, and the plants in it, must be maintained to retain their FireWise properties.
Be aware of the growth habits of the plants on your land and of the changes that occur seasonally. Keep a watchful eye for the need to reduce fuel volumes and fuel continuity.
- Remove annual, herbaceous plants after they have gone to seed or when the stems become overly dry.
- Rake up and dispose of litter as it builds up over the season.
- Mow or trim grasses to a low height within your defensible space. This is especially important as they begin to cure and dry.
- Remove plant parts damaged by snow, wind, frost or other agents.
- Timely pruning is critical. It not only reduces fuel volume but also maintains healthier plants with more succulent, vigorous growth.
Additional FireWise Publications
Colorado State University Extension
The following publications are available from The University Resource Center, Colorado State University, 115 General Services Bldg., Fort Collins, CO 80523-4061; (970) 491-6198; css_resourcecenter@mail.colostate.edu. Printed copies cost $1; they are available free on our website at www.ext.coloste.edu/pubs/pubs.html:
- 6.302 Creating Wildfire-Defensible Zones
- 6.303, Fire-Resistant Landscaping
- 6.304, Fire Safety, Evacuation and Home Defense
- 7.402, Protecting Trees During Construction
Colorado State Forest Service
The following publication is available from the Colorado State Forest Service, Colorado State University, -Foothills, 5060 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-5060: (970) 491-6303:
- Home Fire Protection in the Wildland Urban Interface, CSFS #142-399
FireWise Plant List
The following list was prepared by Phil Hoefer (retired), Colorado State Forest Service. It was reviewed by Jim Knopf, a landscape architect in Boulder, and two landscape architects on Colorado’s Western Slope. Bloom time is approximate (observed in Boulder at 5,600 feet).
| Key: | Water needs: | VL = very low | L = low | M = medium | H = high |
| Sun/Shade: | S = sun | PS = part sun | Sh = shade | ||
| Elevation: | Y = Yes | N = No | ? = Questionable or unknown | ||
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Approx.Water Needs |
Sun/Shade Preference |
Approx.Mature Height |
Elevation(1,000 ft.) | Approx.Bloom Month |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||||||
| Flowers and Ground Covers | ||||||||||
| Achillea lanulosaa | Native yarrow | L-H | S/PS | 1.5 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jul |
| Achillea tomentosab | Woolly yarrow | M-H | S/PS | .5′ | Y | Y | N | N | N | Jul |
| Aconitum spp.c | Monkshood | M-H | S | 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun-Jul |
| Aconitum columbianumac | Columbian monkshood | M-H | S | 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun-Jul |
| Ajuga reptansb | Bugleweed | H | Sh | < .5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun-Jul |
| Alchemilla sp. | Ladys mantle | M-H | PS/Sh | 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | Jun-Jul |
| Allium cernuumac | Nodding onion | L-H | S/PS | 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun |
| Allium geyeriac | Geyer onion | L-H | S/PS | 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | Jun |
| Anaphalis margaritaceaa | Pearly everlasting | L-H | S | 1.5 – 2.5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | Aug |
| Anemone blanda | Windflower | M-H | S/PS | 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | Apr-May |
| Antennaria parvifoliaab | Small-leaf pussytoes | M | S/PS | <.5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun |
| Antennaria roseaab | Rosy pussytoes | M | S/PS | <.5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun |
| Aquilegia spp. | Columbine | M-H | S/PS | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun-Jul |
| Aquilegia coeruleaa | Colorado blue columbine | M-H | S/PS | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun-Jul |
| Aquilegia chrysanthaa | Yellow columbine | M-H | S/PS | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun-Aug |
| Arabis sp.b | Rockcress | L-H | S | < 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May-Jun |
| Armeria maritima | Sea thrift | L-H | S/PS | .5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Apr-Jun |
| Artemisia caucasica | Caucasian sage | L-M | S/PS | 1- 2′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | n/a |
| Artemisia frigidaac | Fringed sage | L-M | S | 1 – 1.5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | n/a |
| Artemisia ludovicianaa | Prairie sage | L-M | S | 1 – 1.5′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | n/a |
| Aster laevisa | Smooth aster | L-H | S/PS | 1 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | Aug-Sep |
| Aster porteria | Porter aster | L-M | S | 1′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | Aug-Sep |
| Aubrieta sp.b | False rockcress | M | S | 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Apr-May |
| Aurinia sp.b | Basket of gold | M | S/PS | 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Apr-May |
| Calochortus gunnisoniia | Mariposa lily | M-H | S | .5 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | Jul-Aug |
| Campanula rotundifoliaa | Common harebell | M-H | S | .5 – 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May-Oct |
| Centranthus ruber | Jupiters beard | L-H | S/Sh | 2 – 2.5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | May-Oct |
| Cerastium strictumab | Mouse ear chickweed | M | S/PS | 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | May-Jun |
| Cerastium tomentosumb | Snow-in-summer | L-M | S/PS | 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May-Jun |
| Claytonia lanceolataa | Spring beauty | M | Sh | .5 – 1.5′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | Mar-Apr |
| Convallaria majalisbc | Lily-of-the-valley | H | Sh | < 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | May-Jun |
| Delosperma nubigenumb | Hardy yellow iceplant | M-H | S | .5′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | Jun |
| Delphinium spp.c | Delphinium | M-H | S/PS | .5 – 3’+ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun-Jul |
| Dianthus spp. | Pinks | L-H | S | <.5′ – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May-Aug |
| Doronicum sp. | Leopards bane | H | S/PS | 2 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | Jul-Aug |
| Echinacea purpurea | Purple coneflower | M | S | 2 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jul-Aug |
| Epilobium angustifolium | Fireweed | H | S/PS | 3′ | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jul-Aug |
| Erigeron flagellarisa | Whiplash daisy, trailing fleabane | L-M | S | < 1′ | Y | Y | ? | ? | ? | Jun-Jul |
| Eriogonum umbellatuma | Sulphur flower | M | S/PS | <.5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun-Jul |
| Erysimum asperuma | Western wallflower | M | S/PS | 1’+ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | Jun-Jul |
| Gaillardia aristataa | Blanket flower | L-M | S | 1 – 1.5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jul-Sep |
| Galium borealeab | Northern bedstraw | M-H | Sh | <1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May-Jun |
| Geranium spp. | Hardy geraniums | M | Sh/PS | 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May-Oct |
| Geranium caespitosuma | Wild geranium | M | Sh/PS | 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May-Oct |
| Geum triflorum | Prairie smoke | M-H | S/PS | 1.5′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | Jun |
| Helianthella quinquenervisa | Aspen sunflower | M | S | 1′ | ? | ? | ? | Y | Y | ? |
| Helianthemum nummularium | Rockrose | M-H | S | < 1′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | May-Jun |
| Helianthus pumilusa | Small sunflower | M | S | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | Jun-Jul |
| Heuchera spp. | Coral bells | M-H | PS/Sh | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun-Aug |
| Ipomopsis aggregataa | Scarlet gilia | M | S/PS | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun-Aug |
| Iris germanica | Bearded iris | L-M | S | 1 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May-Jun |
| Iris missouriensisac | Missouri or Native iris | M-H | S | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May |
| Lamium sp.b | Dead nettle | M-H | Sh | < 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | May-Jun |
| Lavandula spp. | Lavender | L-M | S | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | Jun-Nov |
| Leucocrinum montanuma | Sand lily | L-M | S | < 1′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | May |
| Liatris punctataa | Dotted gayfeather | VL-L | S | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Aug-Oct |
| Linum lewisiiac | Wild blue flax | L-H | S/PS | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May-Sep |
| Lupinus argenteusac | Silver lupine | M | Sh/PS | 1 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun-Jul |
| Mertensia lanceolataa | Narrow-leaved chiming bells | M-H | Sh/PS | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May-Jun |
| Mimulus guttatusa | Yellow monkey-flower | H | Sh | 1′ | ? | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? |
| Monarda fistulosaa | Native beebalm | M-H | S/PS | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jul-Oct |
| Oenothera caespitosaa | White stemless evening primrose | L-M | S | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun-Aug |
| Papaver orientale | Oriental poppy | H | S/Sh | 2 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May-Jun |
| Penstemon caespitosusab | Mat penstemon | L-M | S | < .5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun |
| Penstemon secundiflorus | Sidebells | L-M | S | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | May-Jun |
| Penstemon teucrioidesa | Germander penstemon | L-M | S | .5′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | Jun-Jul |
| Penstemon virensac | Blue mist penstemon | M | S/PS | .5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May-Jun |
| Phlox subulata | Moss phlox | M | S | < .5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May |
| Polemonium sp. | Jacobs ladder | H | S/PS | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May-Aug |
| Potentilla fissaa | Leafy potentilla | M-H | PS | 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? |
| Potentilla vernab | Spring potentilla | M-H | PS | < .5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Mar-May |
| Pulsatilla patensa | Pasque flower | M | S/PS | 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Mar-May |
| Ratibida columniferaa | Prairie coneflower | L-M | S | 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jul-Sep |
| Rudbeckia hirtaa | Black-eyed Susan | M-H | S | 2 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jul-Sep |
| Salvia officinalis | Cooking sage | L-M | S/PS | 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | Jun |
| Saxifraga hirsuta | Saxifrage | H | S/PS | .5’+ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May-Jun |
| Scutellaria brittoniia | Skullcap | M | S/PS | .5 – 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | Aug-Sep |
| Sedum spp.b | Stonecrop | M | S/PS | 1 – 1.5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jul-Aug |
| Sedum lanceolatuma | Yellow stonecrop | M | S/PS | .5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jul-Aug |
| Sempervivum sp. | Hens and chicks | L-M | S/PS | .5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | n/a |
| Senecio spartioidesac | Broom groundsel | VL-L | S | 2 – 3′ | Y | Y | ? | ? | ? | Sep-Oct |
| Solidago missouriensisa | Smooth goldenrod | L-M | S | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | Jul-Aug |
| Thalictrum fendleria | Fendler meadowrue | H | S/PS | 2 – 3′ | ? | ? | Y | Y | Y | Jul-Aug |
| Thermopsis divaricarpaa | Spreading golden banner | M-H | S/PS | 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | May |
| Tradescantia occidentalisa | Western spiderwort | M | S/PS | 1.5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | Jun-Aug |
| Thymus spp.b | Thyme | L-M | S | < .5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun-Jul |
| Veronica pectinata | Speedwell | L-M | S | < .5′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Apr-Jul |
| Vinca minorb | Periwinkle, myrtle | H | Sh | < 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | Apr-Jun |
| Waldsteinia sp.b | Barren strawberry | M-H | Sh/PS | < 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | May-Jun |
| Shrubs | ||||||||||
| Arctostaphylos nevadensisab | Pinemat manzanita | M | S/PS | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | N | N | n/a |
| Arctostaphylos patulaa | Greenleaf manzanita | M | S/PS | 3 – 4′ | Y | Y | Y | N | N | n/a |
| Arctostaphylos uva-ursiab | Kinnikinnick, bearberry | M | S/Sh | 1′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | n/a |
| Betula glanulosaa | Bog birch | H | S/PS | 6 – 8′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | n/a |
| Calluna sp. | Heather | H | S/PS | 2′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | Jul-Aug |
| Ceanothus fendleria | Buckbrush, mountain lilac | M | S | 2′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | Jul |
| Cercocarpus intricatus | Little-leaf mountain mahogany | VL-L | S | 4 – 6′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | n/a |
| Cercocarpus montanusac | True mountain mahogany | L-M | S | 4 – 6′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | n/a |
| Chrysothamnus spp.a | Rabbitbrush | VL-L | S | 2 – 6′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jul-Aug |
| Cornus stoloniferaa | Redtwig dogwood | H | S/Sh | 4 – 6′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | n/a |
| Cotoneaster horizontalis | Spreading cotoneaster | M | S/PS | 2 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | May-Jun |
| Daphne burkwoodii | Burkwood daphne | M | S/PS | 2 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | Apr-Jun |
| Erica sp. | Heath | H | S/PS | 1′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | Jan-Mar |
| Euonymus alatus | Burning bush euonymus | M | S/Sh | 1 – 6′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | n/a |
| Fallugia paradoxaa | Apache plume | VL-L | S | 2 – 4′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun-Oct |
| Holodiscus dumosusa | Ocean spray, cliff/rock spirea | L-M | S/PS | 4′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun |
| Jamesia americanaa | Wax flower | M-H | S/Sh | 2 – 6′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun |
| Lonicera tatarica | Tatarian honeysuckle | M | S/PS | 4 – 6′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May-Jun |
| Mahonia aquifolium | Oregon grape holly | M-H | S/Sh | 4 – 6′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | May-Jun |
| Mahonia repensab | Creeping grape holly | L-H | S/Sh | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Mar-May |
| Philadelphus microphyllusa | Little-leaf mockorange | M | S | 2 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | Jun |
| Physocarpus monogynusa | Mountain ninebark | M | S/Sh | 2 – 4′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun |
| Potentilla fruticosaa | Shrubby cinquefoil | M | S/PS | 2 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May-Sep |
| Prunus besseyia | Western sand cherry | L-M | S | 1 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | May |
| Purshia tridentataa | Antelope bitterbrush | L-M | S | 1 – 2′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | Jun-Aug |
| Ribes aureuma | Golden currant | M | S/PS | 2 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Apr-May |
| Rosa woodsiia | Woods’ or native wild rose | M | S/PS | 2 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Jun-Jul |
| Shepherdia canadensisa | Russet buffaloberry | M-H | S | 5 – 6′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | n/a |
| Symphoricarpos spp.d | Snowberry, coralberry | M | S/PS | 2 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | n/a |
| Viburnum edulea | Highbush cranberry | H | S | 6 – 8′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May-Jun |
| Yucca baccataa | Banana or broad-leaf yucca | VL-L | S/PS | 2 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Jun |
| Yucca filamentosa | Adams needle | M | S/PS | 2 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Jun |
| Yucca glaucaa | Spanish bayonet, small soapweed, Great Plains yucca | VL-L | S/PS | 2 – 3′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | Jun |
| Large Shrubs and Trees | ||||||||||
| Acer ginnala | Ginnala maple | M-H | S | 6 – 10′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | n/a |
| Acer glabruma | Rocky Mountain maple | M-H | S/Sh | 6 – 10′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | n/a |
| Acer grandidentatuma | Wasatch maple | M | S/PS | 10 – 20′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | n/a |
| Alnus tenuifoliaa | Thinleaf alder | H | S/PS | 6 – 8′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Apr |
| Amelanchier alnifoliaac | Saskatoon alder-leaf serviceberry | M | S/PS | 6 – 8′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Apr-May |
| Amelanchier utahensisa | Utah serviceberry | VL-M | S | 4 – 6′ | Y | Y | N | N | N | May |
| Betula fontinalisa | River birch | H | S/PS | 6 – 8′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | n/a |
| Cercocarpus ledifoliusa | Mountain mahogany | VL-L | S | 6 – 15′ | Y | Y | ? | N | N | n/a |
| Corylus cornutaa | Filbert, beaked hazelnut | H | S/Sh | 5 – 6′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | ? | n/a |
| Crataegus spp.a | Hawthorn (several native) | M | S | 6 – 8′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | May |
| Fraxinus pennsylvancia | Green ash | M-H | S | 20 – 25′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | n/a |
| Gleditsia triacanthos | Honeylocust | M-H | S | 60 – 70′ | Y | Y | N | N | N | May |
| Malus sp. | Crabapple | M | S | 10 – 15′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Apr-May |
| Physocarpus opulifoliusa | Tall ninebark | M | S/PS | 4 – 6′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | N | May |
| Populus tremuloidesa | Aspen | M | S | 8 – 25′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | n/a |
| Prunus americanaa | American wild plum | M | S/PS | 4 – 6′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Apr |
| Prunus cerasifera | Flowering plum | M | S/PS | 8 – 10′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | N | Apr |
| Prunus pennsylvanicaa | Pin/fire/wild/red cherry | M | S/PS | 6 – 8′ | Y | Y | Y | ? | N | May |
| Prunus virginiana melanocarpaac | Western chokecherry | M-H | S/PS | 6 – 8′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Apr-May |
| Rubus deliciosusa | Boulder raspberry, thimbleberry | M | S/Sh | 4 – 6′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Apr-May |
| Salix amygdaloidesa | Peachleaf willow | H | S/PS | 20 – 30′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | n/a |
| Shepherdia argenteaa | Silver buffaloberry | M | S/PS | 4 – 6′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | Apr |
| Sorbus scopulinaa | Western mountain ash | M-H | S/Sh | 6 – 8′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | ? | May |
| Syringa vulgaris | Common lilac | M | S | 6 – 8′ | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | May |
| a Native species. b Ground cover plant. c This species, or some species in this genus, may be poisonous to livestock, pets, wildlife and/or people under some conditions. Before planting, check with Colorado State University Extension, Colorado State Forest Service, or other knowledgeable personnel. d Several speices of symphoricarpos are native. |
||||||||||
* Staff Forester (retired), Colorado State Forest Service. 10/99. Revised 1/12.
Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating. CSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. No endorsement of products mentioned is intended nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.
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