Best fire-resistant trees for bushfire-prone areas in Western Australia

A bushfire blazes intensely against the night sky

Australia is one of the most fire-prone countries in the world.

For homeowners, especially during the peak of summer, fire safety has to be a top priority—and your landscaping can play a vital role in protecting your home and family.

What do homeowners consider when selecting trees to plant on their property?

One of the considerations is to choose the best fire-resistant trees for bushfire prone areas in Western Australia.

Remember, though, that in reality,

No tree is completely fire-resistant.

All plants, including trees, can burn under the right

conditions, particularly in extreme bushfire events.

A fire crackles amidst twigs and branches - a small flame can ignite a bushfire

However, some trees are more fire-resistant than others, meaning they burn less intensely, produce less fuel, or survive better after a fire.

Thoughtful planning can greatly reduce the risk and spread of fire around a property.

So, choosing the right trees for your property isn’t just about looks.

We'll look at a roundup of the best fire-resistant trees that are considered best suited for bushfire-prone regions of WA — native, resilient, and low-flammability.

What Makes a Tree Less Flammable?

Now, before we dive in, let's consider characteristics that make trees less flammable:

• Low oil or resin content in tree

• High moisture content in its leaves

• Smooth bark (making it less likely to catch fire)

• Minimal dead wood or shedding

• Open branching that reduces fuel load

Best fire resistant trees for bushfire prone Western Australia

When preparing this list of the best fire-resistant trees for Western Australia, we considered many factors to determine which species are most suited for bushfire-prone areas.

Once again, we re-iterate that no tree is completely immune to fire, and even the most fire-resistant species can still be affected under extreme conditions.

The trees listed here are chosen for their lower flammability, resilience, and ability to withstand fire to a greater degree, but all require careful management to ensure they remain a safer choice for reducing bushfire risk.

Let us begin:

1. River Sheoak (Casuarina Cunninghamiana)

A delicate branch set against a soft-focus background of green and gold hues, capturing the serene beauty of nature.

River Sheoak (Casuarina Cunninghamiana) is a moderately fire-resistant tree and is often considered a reasonable choice for bushfire-prone areas — with some important caveats. Casuarina Cunninghamiana (River Sheoak) is not naturally native to Western Australia, but it is widely planted there and can grow well in parts of WA, especially in suitable riparian or sandy soil areas.

• Optimal Conditions: Best near water sources in sandy or loamy soils; drought-tolerant once mature.

• Height: 10–20 metres

• Maintenance: Very low-maintenance tree.

• Fire-Resistant Traits: Fine, needle-like foliage and dense wood offer strong fire resistance.

  
  

Fire Resistance Profile of Casuarina Cunninghamiana:

• Pros:

  • Low volatile oils: Unlike eucalypts or tea trees, Casuarinas lack flammable oils in their foliage.

  • Dense wood and thick bark: Offers some resistance to fire damage.

  • Open canopy and fine branch structure: Can reduce crown fire risk if well-maintained.

  • Root stability: Excellent for erosion control along waterways, where fire risk may be lower.

    
    

  ⚠️ Things to Consider:

  • Needle-like foliage: The fine branchlets (technically not true leaves) can accumulate and dry out, potentially increasing surface fuel load if not managed.

  • Litter buildup: It sheds a lot of "needles" (branchlets), so regular clearing is necessary to minimize fuel.

  • Height and form: Can grow tall and dense; may need pruning in asset protection zones.

  • Not ideal directly near homes or structures unless well-maintained (e.g., lower branches pruned, litter removed).

2. Brachychiton Populneus (Kurrajong)

Brachychiton populneus (Kurrajong) is generally considered fire-retardant and can be a good choice for bushfire-prone areas — including parts of Western Australia, although it's not native to WA (it originates from eastern Australia).

Fire Resistance Profile of Brachychiton Populneus:

• Pros:

  • Low flammability foliage (thick, waxy leaves with low oil content)

  • Minimal bark shedding

  • High moisture retention

  • Open, non-dense canopy structure

  • Survivability in fire: Kurrajong trees can survive moderate bushfires and often resprout after fire damage. They also produce less litter than many native eucalyptus species, which helps reduce surface fuel loads.

  • Often planted in fire protection buffer zones and defensible landscapes because of their low flammability and drought tolerance.

  
  

  ⚠️ Things to Consider:

  • WA native? No — native to NSW and QLD, but grows well in dry inland WA

3. Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus Rudis)

Eucalyptus Rudis (Flooded Gum) is considered moderately fire-resistant and is suitable for inclusion in bushfire-resilient planting in Western Australia, especially in wetter or riparian zones.

Fire Resistance Profile of Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus Rudis):

• Pros:

  • Moist foliage: Leaves have relatively high moisture content, making them less likely to ignite quickly.

  • Smooth bark (young trees): Offers some protection from ember attack and flame contact.

  • Canopy structure: Open canopy allows for reduced fuel connectivity between ground and crown.

  • Endemic to: Southwest Western Australia

  • Commonly found along rivers, creeks, and floodplains, especially in the Swan Coastal Plain and Peel-Harvey catchments.

    
    

    ⚠️ Things to Consider:

  • Bark shedding: Mature trees shed long strips of bark, which can act as fire ladders or carry embers.

  • Leaf litter: Like most eucalypts, it produces dry leaf litter that can build up and increase surface fuel if not managed.

    
    

4. Golden Wattle (Acacia Victoriae)

• Native to: Arid and semi-arid WA

• Why it’s great: Hardy, drought-tolerant and ecologically valuable. While wattles burn when dead or dry, this species has relatively low oil content.

• Fire-Resistant Traits: Moderate resistance due to low oil content in leaves and bark.

Fire Resistance Profile of Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus Rudis):

• Pros:

  • Low oil content: Leaves and stems have lower levels of volatile oils compared to many eucalypts, reducing flammability.

  • Open structure: Sparse canopy and branching can help limit fuel continuity.

  • Fast regrowth: Recovers well after fire via seed germination and basal resprouting, helping stabilize the landscape quickly.

⚠️ Things to Consider:

• Short-lived: As it matures and dies, dead material can accumulate if not maintained, increasing fire risk.

• Can ignite if dry: Like many wattles, it can burn under high heat, especially when stressed or unmanaged.

• Prune regularly to remove dead or dry branches.

• Do not plant too close to structures — maintain defensible space.

  
  

Tips for Fire-Safe Landscaping

• Space trees wisely: Avoid planting flammable species too close to your home.

• Keep them healthy: Remove dead limbs and lower branches.

• Prune regularly: Maintain open canopies to reduce fuel buildup.

• Clear the ground: Minimize leaf litter and dry undergrowth.

Landscaping Practices

The CSIRO recommends several practices for managing trees in bushfire-prone areas:

• Choose species with low flammability characteristics.

• Remove low-hanging and damaged branches to prevent fire from climbing into the canopy.

• Regularly clear leaf litter and other flammable materials from beneath trees.

• Use trees strategically as barriers to protect homes from embers and radiant heat. CSIRO Research

By selecting appropriate tree species and following recommended landscaping practices, residents in Western Australia's bushfire-prone areas can enhance their property's resilience to fire.

Building Resilience Starts in the Garden

Planting the right trees won’t make your property fireproof, but it can make a big difference. Fire-resistant trees can slow the spread of flames, reduce ember attack, and give firefighters a safer environment to work in.

By combining smart planting with regular maintenance, you can enjoy a beautiful, biodiverse garden that’s also a little tougher when fire season rolls around.

Need help choosing the best species for your soil type or region? Reach out to your local nursery, Landcare group, or the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services for tailored advice.

Remember, while trees can act as fuel during a bushfire, they can also play a protective role — slowing wind, absorbing radiant heat, and trapping embers or flying debris when positioned at a safe distance from your home.

You might ask 'If I have trees located close to my house, what should I do?'

It’s important to understand how they might affect your ability to move around safely in a fire.

If a tree could block escape routes or create hazards during an emergency, it’s best to consider pruning, removing, or managing it to reduce the risk.

Professional Support for Fire-Safe Landscaping

Making smart landscaping choices isn’t just about appearance—it’s about protecting your home.

At Swift Trees Perth our certified tree specialists understand the challenges of living in bushfire-prone areas and are here to help you make the right decisions for your property.

If you need expert advice on tree selection, tree lopping services or tree pruning services in Perth, Western Australia, our team is ready to help. We offer our Tree Lopping services, stump grinding, palm removal services throughout Perth in Bassendean, Duncraig, Floreat, Greenwood, Kingsley, Woodvale, Wembley and many other locations.

Contact Swift Trees Perth today to book a consultation and take the next step toward a safer, healthier yard.

'No tree is completely immune to fire, and

even the most fire-resistant species can still

be affected under extreme conditions.'