On Real Estate & More – September 2026

SOUTHERN OREGON’S fire-prone environment raises questions about the role of flammable plants in spreading wildfires. Examples of highly-flammable plants include ornamental juniper, Leyland cypress, Italian cypress, rosemary, arborvitae, eucalyptus, and some ornamental grasses. Care should be taken to not place highly flammable plants adjacent to any structures or within 30 feet of your home.

A transition toward native, less flammable species, such as Oregon White Oak, Bigleaf Maple, and Vine Maple, will help to create fire-resilient landscapes. However, even native plants are not entirely fireproof, as many naturally burn and regenerate, requiring careful planning to balance fire safety with ecological preservation.

Thoughtful vegetation management and land use planning will be increasingly important to minimize fire hazards. Native plants, besides being less flammable in some cases, provide critical habitat for wildlife and promote biodiversity. Some desirable non-native species, like fruit trees, can also contribute to fire resilience in urban areas. Some experts recommend planting fire-resistant plantings (native and non-native) in urban areas and parks while avoiding invasive plants like scotch broom and ornamental conifers/cypresses, which exacerbate fire spread.

As wildfire becomes more frequent and intense due to climate change, Southern Oregon must adopt long-term strategies for sustainable rebuilding and land management. This involves creative urban planning, fire-hardened buildings, and vegetation management, supported by funding mechanisms for ongoing prevention efforts. That means gradually transforming urban areas of Southern Oregon overall into an environment of less flammable plants, more native species and more fire-hardened buildings. The goal would be not only to protect homes and structures from fire but also to encourage a more ecologically sound environment—one where native plants thrive and provide sustenance for insects and birds and don’t get muscled out by non-native plants.

The City of Ashland via its Wildfire and Community Risk Reduction Division is the primary local government agency in Jackson County with an official prohibited plant list for fire safety. County-wide and regional agencies like Jackson County Government, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), and the Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District (JSWCD) provide fire-resistant landscaping guides instead of strict prohibition lists.

Specific to the City of Jacksonville, trees in Jacksonville are protected after reaching a certain size; these trees are considered “Resource” trees, defined as any tree with a circumference equal to or greater than 12 inches diameter at breast height. There are also protection standards for multi-stem trees and the topping of any live resource tree. Due to increased concerns about fire risk, in 2023, the City of Jacksonville amended their requirements for tree removal based on the Citizen Advisory Committee’s recommendations based on defensible space requirements from Senate Bill 762 and recommendations from the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

A live resource tree may be removed in certain zoning districts if the tree is one or more of the following:

  • In danger of collapse, presenting a health and safety hazard;
  • Necessary to protect an historic, primary residential or commercial structure;
  • A fire hazard determined by the Fire Chief;
  • Diseased or blighted endangering its survival; or
  • Located in a proposed building envelope, proposed street, driveway, or parking area with no alternative development design eliminating the need for the tree(s) removal.

In the Historic Core, General Commercial, and Artisan Zone Districts, as well as those properties subject to riparian and/or wetlands designation, unless exempt, a Tree Removal Permit with Public Noticing is required to be approved prior to removal of a resource tree.

Removal of resource trees can be permitted without a fee by the Planning Director if:

  • The tree’s condition presents an immediate danger of collapse and a clear and present hazard to people or property; or
  • The tree is a nuisance species.

Prior to tree removal within Jacksonville City limits, it is recommended to discuss applicable permit requirements with the City of Jacksonville Planning Department.