Fires, ecology and thoughts on a wintry night.

Fires have been a significant part of the global ecosystems since the beginning of time and the suppression of them was never part of nature’s plan. Many plant species need fire to germinated fallen seeds. Humans changed all that and we do whatever possible to suppress fires with little regard for their importance. It’s hard to argue with someone who builds in a fire zone area and their needs to protect homes and their lives. This is the clash between what is best for nature and what is best for humans.

Many of those that live in these areas think the vegetation surrounding them is native because it’s been growing there since fires has been suppressed for 100 plus years. In the long view the native seeds have been waiting patiently in the ground for a fire so they can germinate and repopulate. Which is to say most vegetation we see is what we planted, not nature.

A great example of this mentality are visitors to the nursery. They know we love our natives and they want to plant all natives. On their list of favorite natives are lilac, forsythia or bridalwreath spirea, (just examples, but typical). When we let them know they aren’t native there is a bewildered look, ’they saw lilac on Great Grandmoms farm, that they so loved as kids’. Certainly, they must be native. Well, these plants have been here a long time but only in human time not in geological time. These plants are not native. Great plants just not native.

Yes, fires are destructive yet so important to keeping our ecosystems whole. How do we do that? I don’t have the answer. I just know that sometimes when we are thinking native it’s in our minds eye and not in natures.

            Stay warm this winter. I don’t think it’s been above 15 degrees for two weeks.