grasses

Pollen from cypress pine trees, which have few natural protections against fire, fell dramatically, whereas pollen from more fire-tolerant eucalyptus, shrubs, and grasses became more common.

More frequent and larger fires create a dangerous cycle that burns through the more resilient brush and trees, making room for quick-to-dry invasive grasses.

Returning to the trail, with its soothing chorus of crickets, velvety laurel sumac shrubs and feathery wild grasses, something inside me loosened.

Across the street from his property is open space, where he says he regularly sees owls and kangaroo rats among the grasses and native plants.

They preached about the effectiveness of “defensible space,” advocating that residents prune grasses, saplings and lower limbs immediately adjacent to their homes.