By law, to protect the orchard industries, fruit trees need treatment, both with a dormant spray and with insect spray after blossom petals fall. Most soils tend toward slightly alkaline and need no lime. The addition of sulfur can help soil fertility. Keep vegetation low and green within a generous radius of structures for fire safety in this dry climate. Lawn grass and herbaceous ground cover provide fire protection.
Shade trees help cool homes in summer.
Conifers or native shrubs screen off unwanted views or wind, and native shrubs provide cover and food for mammals and birds that you can enjoy viewing from indoors. Thanks to Dave Sabold for providing information for this article.