Plan Ahead to Maintain Defensible Space
contributed by Warren Branges

Keeping the needles and branches cleaned up and trimming limbs may not be enough to maintain a defensible space around your cabin. Managing the health and density of trees on your property as part of a long range plan may be necessary. Imagine how your trees will look in ten, twenty or thirty years – it might be time to do a little thinning now.

Benefits of forest thinning include reduced wildfire threat, increased tolerance of environmental pressures, increased plant diversity and improved wildlife habitat.

Factors considered when thinning for defensible space include the relative position and condition of the crown, the health of the tree and the condition and quality of the stem.

Guidance and information on thinning for defensible space may be found here