Published in the Contra Costa Times on September 30, 2006

Q. How am I supposed to prune my trees to reduce fire risk?  

A. If you are interested in reducing the chance your home will burn, there are some relatively simple guidelines to follow.  Your first step should be to remove the DDD limbs-- limbs that are dead, damaged or deranged. This has the added advantage of helping to reduce disease and insect pest problems, and limiting the risk of branch failure. Follow basic tree trimming protocol, and remove crossing branches-- those are the deranged ones.  To reduce fire risk, limbs from large trees should be pruned up 10 feet from the ground, or three times the height of underlying plants.  For example if  you have a 6' tall oleander under your  35' tall sycamore tree, that would mean all limbs up to 18' should be removed. Remember that for tree health; never remove more than 1/3 of a tree at a time. A better idea may be to lower the height of your shrubs. Limbs should be pruned 10' away from roofs and a minimum of 15 away from chimneys. Shred or finely chop small material to be composted.  If you are going to keep larger diameter firewood, store off the ground a minimum of 30' away from your home. Smaller trees need to have the DDD limbs removed, and surrounding shrubs trimmed back.  If you have pines around your home, be sure to pick up all fallen needles ad they are perfect fire tinder. Shred and compost for later use. Pines and junipers are particularly fire-prone plants, and need to be well maintained or removed if possible.   Evaluate how closely your trees are planted.  Where possible maintain about 15' between canopies, which can entail thinning or removing trees.  Make sure that your trees are not water-stressed this late in the summer. Although water needs have dropped significantly as we get closer to fall equinox, if trees are wilted they are much more susceptible to fire. Water deeply at least once a month throughout the root zone area. If you have riparian tree varieties, you may need to water more often. If you have a question about a particular kind of tree, call the Master Gardener office. ( 925) 646-6586.