Oak knolls living

[goatboy 1]

Thanks

Any thoughts on Hidden Valley Ranch or other areas similiar to Oak Knolls Village that do not experience the harsh winter conditions that may exist during the winter months?

[BriansPerspective]

Originally Posted by goatboy 1

Any thoughts on Hidden Valley Ranch or other areas similiar to Oak Knolls Village that do not experience the harsh winter conditions that may exist during the winter months?

Hidden Valley Ranch and Haisley Homestead are very nice. So is Timber Ridge. There's a neat little subdivsion called Wildwood up off of Iron Springs, northwest of town. It's not in the pines, but it is surrounded by native chapparral.

BTW, Senator Hwy is plowed frequently.

[DellNec]

Chaparral is also termed for "scrub brush" (slang) out here. It does still burn fast but not as hot and tall as would a ponderosa pine fire. Scrub brush if found in lower elevations (2,000-4,500 avg).

I prefer the juniper vegetation areas in Williamson Valley (just north of Prescott). It does not burn like ponderosa and is nicer in appearance than chaparral. It's sort of the "in between" chaparral and ponderosa pines. It is found in 4,500 - 5,300 feet. It starts to dissipate over 5,300 and ponderosa takes over.

[BriansPerspective]

Originally Posted by DellNec

Chaparral is also termed for "scrub brush" (slang) out here. It does still burn fast but not as hot and tall as would a ponderosa pine fire. Scrub brush if found in lower elevations (2,000-4,500 avg).

Chaparral is actually designed to burn. The plants produce oil in their leaves to promote fire. Many chaparral seeds will not germinate unless they are burned to a certain high temperature that splits the pod open. That's why there are always huge fires in southern California - the predominant vegetation is chaparral. I think the non-suppressed burn cycle of chaparral is something like every 11 years. Also, the water cycle is reversed in California, with wet winters and dry hot summers. The summers dry out the chaparral and any ignition source can light them up. Around here, we have wet summers, so the chaparral is less likely to burn uncontrollably.