Pollen allergies: 14 trees you should not plant in your garden

To avoid pollen allergy with unpleasant symptoms such as runny nose and conjunctivitis, discover 14 trees not to install in your garden.

Alder

Alder is a hardy tree that prefers moist soils, especially near watercourses. This medium-sized tree belonging to the Betulaceae family is characterized by its brownish-black bark, dark green oval leaves and young shoots that are sticky to the touch. Its pollination, which lasts from February to March, is manifested by the appearance of male and female acorns on the same tree and often causes the first allergies of the season.

Work

Birch, dreaded by tree pollen allergies, produces very irritating pollen in the spring. Birch, which can be recognized by its white bark, can reach a height of 25 meters. It occurs in a variety of environments, from plains to mountains, gardens and parks. Its flowering, marked by long drooping male catkins and erect female catkins, takes place from March to May. Birch pollen, present in large quantities between March and April, causes severe allergic reactions.

Magic

Habr, present mainly in the north-east of France, experiences a pollination period between April and May. It also belongs to the Betulaceae family and is commonly planted as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens or to form compact hedges. Hornbeam, which can be recognized by its dark greenish-grey grooved trunk and jagged leaves, can reach a height of up to 20 meters. Its acorns appear at the same time as the leaves, from late March to May, and spread a lot of pollen.

Oak

The oak, a tree prized for its beauty and robustness, is subject to heavy pollen dispersion in the spring, from mid-April to mid-May. Recognized by its oval leaves and black-brown bark, it belongs to the Fagaceae family. Its spring flowering is accompanied by the dispersion of pollen by the wind, which can trigger allergies, although the allergenic potential is moderate.

Cypress

The cypress, a conifer belonging to the Cupressaceae family, is widespread in France, planted mainly as a windbreak and roadside hedge. Recognizable by its leaves in shades of green, yellow and blue, it can measure 5 to 18 meters in height. Its pollination, between March and April, creates a dispersion of allergenic pollen in the air, especially in green and blue cypress trees. Cross allergies are possible with juniper, due to the similarity of allergens contained in their pollen. However, trimming cypress hedges in autumn can reduce pollen emissions in gardens.

Ash

The ash tree is a majestic tree spread throughout France. Recognizable by its ovoid silhouette and gray bark, it can reach a height of up to 45 meters. Its dark green leaves are composed of several leaflets and its branches rise upwards. Although it offers resistance to urban conditions, it is better to avoid it if you are allergic. Its flowering between March and April releases highly allergenic pollen, especially in the south of France, before gradually spreading across the country over several weeks.

Juniper

Juniper, which belongs to the Cupressaceae family, can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms in sensitized people. This bushy conifer can reach 1.50 m. Its fruit, a round berry, is blue.

Its pollination peaks between February and mid-April, marking the beginning of the pollen year. Common juniper, typical of scrub and maquis, releases its pollen between October and November.

Beech

The beech is a tree from the Fagaceae family, whose gray and smooth bark is easily recognizable. But its smooth, simple leaves, fringed with hairs, can be confused with hornbeam leaves.

The beech tree is known for its medium allergenic potential, with a pollination period from April to May. Used both as an ornamental tree and for lumber, this tree releases its pollen during this time and contributes to spring allergies and sneezing.

Chinese mulberry or paper mulberry

The Chinese mulberry tree, also known as the tapa tree, is recognizable by its deeply lobed leaves and deciduous leaves. However, it is responsible for severe allergic reactions in the spring due to the large amount of pollen it produces. The pollination period lasts from April to May.

Fox

The hazel is a shrub with a bushy habit, which can be recognized by its smooth brown-grey bark and jagged leaves. It is considered very durable.

The early flowering of these shrubs, from January to March, releases the pollen responsible for allergic rhinitis and asthma, especially in the center, east and northeast. Pollination, aided by the wind, takes place between January and March, with effective dispersion of pollen grains in the air.

Olive

The olive tree, a symbolic tree of the Mediterranean regions and a rare source of olive oil, harbors highly allergenic pollen. Recognizable by its brown, cracked bark and glossy dark green leaves, the olive tree belongs to the Oleaceae family. Its flowering, which usually lasts from May to June, is accompanied by an abundant dispersion of pollen in the air.

Plane tree

The sycamore, the symbolic tree of the urban landscape for its generous shade, hides a lesser-known aspect: its intense pollination. It can reach a height of 35 m and its leaves are deciduous.

From the end of March to the end of May, a huge amount of pollen is blown by the wind, which can be problematic for those sensitive to respiratory allergies. In addition to pollen, its fruit fibers can also cause irritation, even in people who are not allergic.

Willow

Male willow, known to provoke severe allergies in the spring, should be avoided in the gardens of sensitive people as soon as it blooms. Willow pollen often triggers the first allergic reactions of the year. Its flowering time, from March to May, presents a high allergy risk.

Linden

The linden tree, a majestic tree prized for its elegance, also hides a less pleasant side for allergy sufferers. The risk period is its flowering, extended from May to July. Its pollen, although of moderate allergenic potential, is particularly abundant and heavy, which limits its dispersal by wind. However, the inconvenience remains for sensitive people living nearby.