{"id":"us-md","slug":"maryland","name":"Maryland","license":"CC-BY-4.0","placeNode":"/places/us-md.json","construction":{"reviewStatus":"none","applications":[],"localApplications":[],"requirements":[],"sources":[{"title":"Maryland Building Performance Standards","url":"https://labor.maryland.gov/labor/build/buildcodes.shtml","publisher":"Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Labor and Industry","sourceType":"official","accessedOn":"2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z"}]},"localAuthorities":[],"claims":{"exact":[{"id":"guide:is-mulch-your-biggest-plant-decision:1","anchor":"local-us-md-is-mulch-your-biggest-plant-decision-1","place":"Maryland DNR Firewise mulch table","placeId":"us-md","scopeKind":"place","scopeMode":"descendants","scopeRef":null,"claim":"Many commonly used mulches can be quite flammable and pose the threat of ignition by windborne embers. With the proximity that mulch usually has to the home, the risk becomes even more significant. Initial / after-one-year ignitability: bluegrass sod Very Low / Very Low; brick chips Nonflammable / Nonflammable; cocoa shells Very Low / Low; composted yard waste Moderate / High; decorative ground rubber Very High / Very High; ground recycled pallets High / High; marble/limestone chips Nonflammable / Nonflammable; oat straw Very High / Low; oyster shells Nonflammable / Nonflammable; pine bark nuggets 1–2 in Low / Moderate; pine bark nuggets ½–1 in Low-Moderate / Moderate-High; pine straw (needles) High / Very High; shredded cypress bark High / High; shredded hardwood bark High / High; shredded pine bark Moderate / High. There is no such thing as a fireproof plant.","asOf":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","object":{"kind":"guide","id":"is-mulch-your-biggest-plant-decision","title":"Is mulch your biggest plant decision in a Chesapeake suburb","url":"/guides/is-mulch-your-biggest-plant-decision/"},"source":{"title":"Firewise Landscaping Plants for Maryland","url":"https://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/documents/fire/firewise_plants.pdf","publisher":"Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service","sourceType":"official","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"}},{"id":"guide:is-mulch-your-biggest-plant-decision:2","anchor":"local-us-md-is-mulch-your-biggest-plant-decision-2","place":"Maryland DNR Firewise landscaping zones","placeId":"us-md","scopeKind":"place","scopeMode":"descendants","scopeRef":null,"claim":"Zone 1 extends from the house out to 3–5 feet. Goal: prevent flames from directly touching the house. Fire-resistant plants and mulches should be used in this zone. Evergreen plants and shrubs should be avoided in close proximity to the house. Zone 2 extends to 10–12 feet; a green, mowed lawn is perhaps the best defense; large deciduous trees can be used; evergreen trees should be avoided. Zone 3 continues to approximately 30 feet, or 100 feet on the down-slope side of a steep slope. Firewise Living top ten: maintain a green mowed lawn at least 30 feet wide; use Firewise plants and mulches; avoid evergreens and ornamental grasses within 30 feet of the home; keep landscape plants a minimum of 4 feet from the house; do not plant evergreen shrubs or ornamental grasses against the house. Home risk form: flammable mulch adjacent to the house scores 4 points; non-flammable or no mulch scores 0.","asOf":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","object":{"kind":"guide","id":"is-mulch-your-biggest-plant-decision","title":"Is mulch your biggest plant decision in a Chesapeake suburb","url":"/guides/is-mulch-your-biggest-plant-decision/"},"source":{"title":"Firewise Landscaping (zone factsheet)","url":"https://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/documents/fire/firewise_landscapingfactsheet.pdf","publisher":"Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service","sourceType":"official","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"}}],"local":[]},"placeFocusedGuides":[{"id":"is-mulch-your-biggest-plant-decision","title":"Is mulch your biggest plant decision in a Chesapeake suburb","url":"/guides/is-mulch-your-biggest-plant-decision/"}],"findings":[],"plants":{"grain":"state","total":852,"nativeDocumented":0,"invasiveOrNoxiousFlagged":193,"fireResistant":460,"keepAway":141,"conflicts":44,"page":"/grow/maryland/"},"fireEvidencePublicationScope":{"answerGrain":"typed-state-source","sourceCount":2}}