ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION OAK SOCIETY
MAY/JUNE 2025
FIRE-RESISTANT TREES: NATURE’S SURVIVORS Can a tree be resistant to fire? Surprisingly, yes. Despite being made of wood, some tree species have evolved to withstand and even thrive in fire-prone environments. This remarkable trait is why giant sequoias have endured in California’s wildfire-prone landscapes and why longleaf pine forests in the American Southeast flourish with regular fires.
WHAT MAKES A TREE FIRE-RESISTANT? Fire-resistant trees share several common features: • Thick Bark: Protects the inner cambium layer, which is crucial for growth. • High Moisture Content: Wood or leaves with high moisture burn slowly and less intensely. • Lack of Low Branches: Prevents flames from reaching the treetops.
GIANT SEQUOIA Giant sequoias, with bark up to 3 feet thick, were once thought to be fireproof. Their high branches prevent fire from reaching the canopy, and their cones open with heat, allowing seeds to sprout in fire-cleared soil.
PONDEROSA PINE This evergreen thrives in western forests, thanks to its thick bark, protective bud scales, and deep roots. Its open branching structure and moisture-rich needles help it resist fire.
CORK OAK Native to the Mediterranean, cork oaks have thick, honeycomb-like bark that protects the tree’s living layer. This allows the tree to recover quickly after a fire.
LONGLEAF PINE Thriving with regular low-intensity fires, longleaf pines have thick bark and long needles that protect the growing tip from heat. Smaller fires prune lower branches, preventing larger flames from reaching the canopy. These fire-resistant trees are nature’s remarkable survivors, adapted to withstand the challenges of their fiery environments. As an organization planting millions of trees in forestlands facing more challenges than ever — including increasing wildfire threats — the Arbor Day Foundation works with partners who have local knowledge and knowhow to select the trees best suited for local and regional ecosystems to ensure they not only survive, but thrive.