Hi Geoff,

 

I wonder if controlled burns are really cheaper in the long run than water-thrifty orcharding?  There are costs involved with regular burning -- fire personnel and sometimes even chemicals too.  And what is the "yield"?  A lot of lung-unfriendly smoke and ash. 

 

I'm guessing you may not be convinced that water-thrifty orcharding is a real possibility, but I assure you it is!  Shaping the land to retain water, opening the soil with non-destructive keyline plowing, using edible, deep-rooted underplantings and living mulches, harvesting all available water in various ways -- these techniques all help the soil absorb water deeply during rain season. This is all being done now both locally and in other locations and can be done more widely here in Santa Barbara.  And what is the "yield" of an orchard belt to the citizens of Santa Barbara? A secure food supply, beauty, climate mitigation, erosion control, fire protection, bee nectar and more...

 

I think as we reshape our economies towards sustainability we're going to need to adjust our interpretation of costs and profit.  Truly sustainable solutions are often slower and gentler than the "solutions" we've been using without counting their true costs and genuine yields.

 

It's great that we're having this discussion of possible solutions for such important local challenges as fire danger and water shortages!

 

Linda 

 

Hi Linda
Intresting idea....but with scarce water and all the other things  to manage an orchard  I find it not practical..
Having lived  with the brush since 1974 and being burnt in the Egale canyon Fire in 1979. Im convinced that controled burns are the way to go.... cheap and usually safe... The type of brush we have here mostly burl sprouts and is very effective in holding the hillsides during rainstorms...
Part of the problem is that people have gone higher and higher into the hills.. and also want privacy...so the houses are mostly surrounded by flamable plants and trees,,,,A controlled burn ever 5 years  or so would go a long way to making safe areas and blocks to fire;s.. because no matter what you plan fires happen in So Cal when the Santa winds blow.
thats my 2 cents  Thanks geoff Bloomingdale