The Worst Trees for Allergies in American Backyards – And the Low-Pollen Alternatives to Plant Instead
Discover some low-allergy alternatives to heavy pollen-producing trees
Spring can be a struggle for many people. It is estimated that over a quarter of adults in the US have seasonal allergies, which means more than 80 million people are affected. Their struggles are often exacerbated because some of the most pollen-producing trees have long been used in suburban landscaping.
The worst offenders are wind-pollinated trees. Male cultivars have been routinely favored over the years for landscaping, as they don’t drop fruit and make a mess on roads and sidewalks. However, it results in these trees shedding huge amounts of pollen into the air each spring.
Article continues belowWhat Tree Produces the Most Pollen in the US?
The most pollen-producing tree in the US is found in almost every state, except Alaska, Hawaii, and Idaho. Oak trees are hugely popular across the US, but they are also a major contributor to pollen allergies.
As these trees are very common in suburban neighborhoods and admired as statement trees in landscaping, it means many millions of people with seasonal allergies are affected by the oak’s potent pollen.
‘The biggest pollen-producing trees in American yards are oaks,’ claims Marzena Rewers, the owner of Blooming Expert. ‘This single tree can produce billions of grains, and it happens every year with a peak in April-May.’
Oak trees are wind-pollinated trees and release large amounts of pollen in spring to transfer pollen to female flowers on the same or nearby tree. Kara Brown, a beekeeper and founder of Bee Inspired, says most Americans won’t realize how large a pollen producer this ‘spring offender’ is.
‘Oak trees produce pollen so light and abundant that it travels for miles before settling,’ she explains. ‘Oak trees are consistently among the highest pollen producers in the country, and most homeowners do not notice them because their flowers are hard to spot.’
These historic trees remain hugely popular and include many native tree species. However, before you experiment with growing an oak tree from an acorn, consider the impact its pollen may have if you or your family suffer from allergies.
A low-pollen alternative to an oak tree is a dogwood tree. These trees are also popular across the US and offer year-round ornamental beauty, as well as being low in pollen.
For example, a red dogwood tree like this at Fast Growing Trees is compact for smaller landscapes and offers vivid red blooms that don’t need wind pollination.
Other Major Pollen-Producing Trees in the US
As we’ve outlined above, oaks are undoubtedly problematic to allergy sufferers, but many of the other most pollen-producing trees are also commonly seen in urban and suburban areas.
Kara Brown highlights birch trees as ‘equally problematic’ trees that have been a popular ornamental tree in suburban landscapes for many years. She claims: ‘The tree does not look like an allergy threat, and that's exactly what makes them so effective at causing misery.’
There are many birch species grown throughout the US. They are wind-pollinated trees that need pollen to move from male catkins to female flowers. As a result, birch trees release a lot of pollen in early spring, and this light, powdery pollen can carry for miles on the wind. It is estimated that one birch catkin can release five million pollen grains.
Conifers, including pine, cedar, and juniper, are all evergreen trees that produce very fine yellow pollen that coats windows, cars, and sidewalks in winter and early spring (or late spring in the case of pine trees).
Indeed, pollen from the Ashe juniper (also known as mountain cedar) is the cause of ‘cedar fever’ in Texas and Oklahoma when huge amounts of pollen are released in winter. Male cones release pollen into the wind to fertilize female cones, and the grains can carry long distances.
Mario Galo from G&V Tree Service also highlights: ‘Male cultivars of ash and mulberry are trees that make a lot of pollen each spring.’ There are even cities, such as Tucson, Arizona, that have banned planting mulberry trees due to the health hazards linked to the large amounts of pollen the trees release in spring.
Finally, Marzena Rewers adds that maple trees also have potent pollen, but says their impact is ‘quite often overlooked’, stating: ‘The reason is that maple blooms in February, well before anyone starts to think about allergy.’
Other low-pollen alternatives you may consider adding to your backyard ideas, if you want to plant trees, include those that produce less pollen or rely on insects for pollination. These include magnolias, redbuds, and fruit trees, including apples, pears, and plums.
Shop Low-Pollen Trees
A Butterflies magnolia is a small flowering tree hardy in USDA growing zones 5-9. It produces yellow blooms with a lemony scent that attract pollinators.
An Eastern redbud bursts into bloom in early spring with pink blossoms that cover its bare branches. It is a native tree that can thrive in a wide range of soil types.
Golden Delicious is an American apple and reliably produces large crops of yellow-green, crisp apples.
It can be tricky to pick the right plants when you love gardening but suffer from allergies. Though there are plants you can enjoy that won’t aggravate your symptoms. Indeed, this guide to flowers to grow for hayfever sufferers and those to avoid reveals some fantastic selections of cutting garden flowers you can grow and enjoy without triggering allergies.
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