--- title: Is Cheatgrass Part of Defensible Space? url: https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/is-cheatgrass-part-of-defensible-space/ business: Battle Born Tree Service address: 6301 US Highway 50 East, Carson City, NV 89701 phone: 775.232.8243 hours: Office Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm; phones answered seven days a week; 24-hour emergency service credentials: ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A on staff; Nevada Business License # 20131580674; fully insured type: Tree service (removal, crane work, pruning, stump grinding, defensible space, snow removal, firewood) --- - [Home](https://battleborntreeservice.com/) - [Questions and answers](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/) - [Defensible space and fire](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/) - Is cheatgrass part of defensible space? # Is cheatgrass part of defensible space? Yes. The UNR Extension guide says to clear all cheatgrass within 30 feet of the home and lists it among the flammable plants to remove in the first 5 feet. It also warns that cheatgrass thrives on disturbed ground, so clearing has to be done thoughtfully. ## What the guide says Living With Fire names cheatgrass in two places for sagebrush country: it is on the list of flammable plants to remove in Zone 0, and in Zone 1 the guide says to clear all cheatgrass within 30 feet of the home. We do not spray herbicides. Pesticide applications for hire need a Nevada Department of Agriculture license, and that is not one of our services. ## The catch: disturbed ground The guide is blunt about the trade-off. Cheatgrass thrives in disturbed areas, and if a large amount of the native shrubs is removed, cheatgrass will likely take over. The opening of the guide says the same: removing all vegetation can lead to more invasive weeds and grasses. That is why a lot is thinned and spaced rather than scraped. A stripped lot can look safe in June and be a field of dry cheatgrass by July. ## What we do about it Brush mowing and mastication are the machine tools for open ground: the mower cuts and mulches growth across open land and the masticating head grinds brush and small trees in place. Hand crews handle the ground near structures. The arborist chooses at the visit, and [this comparison](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/mastication-vs-brush-mowing-vs-hand-clearing/) explains the options. Ask the arborist what is left on the ground after the work and what the fire district expects there. Describe the lot when you call [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243), or use the [free estimate form](https://battleborntreeservice.com/free-estimate/) and add photos. Because cheatgrass is an annual that dries out each summer, the job comes back every year until other plants fill the ground. Ask the arborist what to leave in place so the ground is not left bare, and plan a yearly walk-through of the first 30 feet. ### Sources - [University of Nevada, Reno Extension: Living With Fire Defensible Space Guide (SP-23-07, PDF)](https://naes.agnt.unr.edu/PMS/Pubs/2023-5522.pdf) (read October 17, 2026) - [University of Nevada, Reno Extension: Living With Fire Defensible Space Guide (SP-23-07)](https://extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=5522) (read October 17, 2026) - [Nevada Division of Forestry (home page, Fire Adapted Nevada and Firewise USA)](https://forestry.nv.gov/) (read October 17, 2026) ### Talk to the office [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243) | Monday to Friday | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm | |---|---| | Saturday and Sunday | Office closed, phones answered | Phones answered seven days a week. 24-hour emergency service. [Free estimate](#quote) ### Keep reading - [Brush mowing](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/brush-mowing/) - [Masticating](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/masticating/) - [Mastication vs brush mowing vs hand clearing](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/mastication-vs-brush-mowing-vs-hand-clearing/) - [Defensible space and fire questions](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/) - [Lot clearing](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/lot-clearing/) ### Terms on this page [Arborist](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/arborist/) [The full glossary](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/) ### All defensible space and fire questions - [Defensible space and fire questions](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/) ## More defensible space and fire questions [When is the best time of year for defensible space work?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/best-time-of-year-for-defensible-space-work/) [Does bark mulch near the house raise fire risk?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/does-bark-mulch-near-the-house-raise-fire-risk/) [What should I do with the branches and slash after clearing?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/what-to-do-with-branches-after-clearing/) [Does Nevada law require 100 feet of defensible space?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/does-nevada-law-require-100-feet-of-defensible-space/) [Do all my trees have to come out for defensible space?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/do-all-my-trees-have-to-come-out/) [How far apart should trees be for defensible space?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/how-far-apart-should-trees-be/) [Previous question: When is the best time of year for defensible space work?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/best-time-of-year-for-defensible-space-work/) [Next question: Does bark mulch near the house raise fire risk?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/defensible-space-and-fire/does-bark-mulch-near-the-house-raise-fire-risk/)