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Are some plants more fire resistant than others?

Last Updated: September 29, 2009

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Yes, some plants, especially trees, have qualities such as thick bark that make them more likely to survive a wildfire than others. Other adaptations to surviving fire include:
* deep root systems with a large tap root;
* rapid self-pruning of lower branches, which results in high crowns;
* low resin content in bark;
* longer needles arranged loosely in an open crown structure;
* a tolerance for defoliation;
* high moisture content of the needles or leaves;
* large buds enclosed in insulated bud scales; and
* the ability to re-sprout from the base or the root system.

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