Maine fire-resistant plant list

Maine fire-resistant plant list (PDF | 28 KB)

This is a partial list of fire-resistant plants that are approved by the Maine Forest Service for use when landscaping within 30 - 100 feet of a structure. Using these plants within the "home ignition zone" can reduce the likelihood of a fire being carried from a forested area to the home.

These plants have characteristics that make them less likely to burn in the event of a wildfire, but no trees or plants are entirely resistant to fire. We also advise homeowners to isolate groups of plants in small “islands” of combustible fuels, so that in the event of a large wildfire, they are less likely to allow the fire to spread to a nearby structure.

If the homeowner or landscaper desires further information on how to reduce the risk of wildfire near homes, please contact the Maine Forest Service at 1-800-750-9777 or at maine.forestrangers@maine.gov

Trees

  • Red maple - Acer rubrum
  • Sugar maple - Acer saccharum
  • Mountain maple - Acer spicatum
  • Striped maple - Acer pensylvanicum
  • Yellow birch - Betula alleghaniensis
  • Paper birch - Betula papyrifera
  • Gray birch - Betula populifolia
  • American hornbeam/Blue-beech - Carpinus caroliniana
  • Pagoda dogwood - Cornus alternifolia
  • Cockspur thorn - Crataegus crusgalli
  • White ash - Fraxinus americana
  • Green ash - Fraxinus pennsylvanica
  • Black gum - Nyssa sylvatica
  • American hophornbeam - Ostrya virginiana
  • Bigtooth aspen - Populus grandidentata
  • Quaking/Trembling aspen - Populus tremuloides
  • Pin/fire/bird cherry - Prunus pensylvanica
  • Black cherry - Prunus serotina
  • White oak - Quercus alba
  • Northern red oak - Quercus rubra
  • Black willow - Salix nigra
  • Basswood/American linden - Tilia americana

Shrubs

  • Buttonbush - Cephalanthus occidentalis
  • American hazelnut - Corylus americana
  • Bush-honeysuckle - Diervilla lonicera
  • Common witchhazel - Hamamelis virginiana
  • Winterberry/Black alder - Ilex verticillata
  • Beach plum - Prunus maritima
  • Chokecherry - Prunus virginiana
  • Staghorn sumac - Rhus hirta (Rhus typhina)
  • Meadow rose - Rosa blanda
  • Pasture rose - Rosa carolina
  • Virginia rose - Rosa virginiana
  • Pussy willow - Salix discolor
  • American elder - Sambucus canadensis
  • Scarlet elder - Sambucus racemosa
  • Highbush blueberry - Vaccinium corymbosum
  • Mapleleaf viburnum - Viburnum acerifolium
  • Arrowhead vibernum - Viburnum dentatum
  • Hobblebush - Vibrnum lantanoides
  • Nannyberry - Viburnum lentago
  • Witherod/wildraisin - Viburnum nudum
  • Highbush cranberry - V. opulus var. americanum (V. o. var. trilobum)

Vines and Ground Covers

  • Bearberry/Kinnikinnick - Arctastaphylos uva-ursi
  • Checkerberry/Wintergreen - Gaultheria procumbens
  • Woodbine/Virginia creeper - Parthenocissus quinquefolia
  • Cranberry - Vaccinium macrocarpon

Perennials

  • Columbine - Aquilegia canadensis
  • Blue Flag - Iris versicolor
  • Violet - Viola species

Note: Flowering plants may generally be used, however, the use of tree bark in landscaping should be minimal and always kept moist.

Grass

All grasses are acceptable as long as they kept short and watered.

Ferns

The use of ferns should be avoided within 30 feet of a structure. In the fall, they can become flammable due to their high surface area to volume ratio.