Allergy-Friendly Trees and Shrubs? Of course, because airborne pollen affects millions of people who suffer from allergies and asthma. For many, pollen allergies are a serious medical concern that requires ongoing treatment.
Weather reports now include pollen counts to help people plan their day. When levels rise, many choose to limit outdoor activities or stay indoors to reduce exposure.
Choosing the right trees and shrubs can help minimize pollen in the landscape and create a more allergy-friendly environment.
Hypoallergenic Trees and Pollen Control
Pollen count reflects the concentration of airborne pollen over a 24-hour period and varies by season, temperature, and weather conditions. Counts typically increase during warm, dry mornings and decrease during cooler or rainy periods.
Although regional pollen levels can’t be controlled, landscape design plays an important role at the site level. Selecting low-pollen species and managing plant placement can significantly reduce allergen exposure and improve comfort for occupants and visitors.
Allergy-Friendly Trees
When planning a new garden, you can reduce allergy problems by choosing trees and shrubs that produce little or no pollen. Before planting, it’s also helpful to evaluate your existing landscape and identify any high-pollen trees that may be contributing to allergy symptoms.
Some tree species are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers grow on separate plants. In these cases, female trees do not produce pollen and are the better choice for allergy-sensitive spaces.
However, several commonly planted trees are known to produce high levels of pollen and should be avoided or carefully managed when possible. These include:
High-Pollen Trees to Avoid
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Boxelder (Acer negundo)
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Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
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River Birch (Betula nigra)
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Carolina Ash (Fraxinus caroliniana)
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Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
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Bayberry (Morella cerifera)
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White Mulberry (Morus alba)
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Red Mulberry (Morus rubra)
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Oaks (Quercus species)
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American Elm (Ulmus americana)
(Female trees of these species are not a pollen concern.)
Moderately Allergenic Trees and Shrubs
Some species produce moderate levels of pollen and may still cause reactions in sensitive individuals. These include:
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Acacias (Acacia spp.)
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Pineapple Guava (Acca sellowiana)
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Albizia (Albizia spp.)
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Orchid Trees (Bauhinia spp.)
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Hollies (Ilex spp.)
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Jerusalem Thorn (Parkinsonia aculeata)
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Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii)
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Buccaneer Palm (Pseudophoenix sargentii)
Reduce Allergies Through Smart Landscape Choices
Weeds—especially ragweed—are among the largest contributors to airborne pollen. Keeping landscapes well maintained and weed-free greatly reduces local pollen levels.
As a general rule:
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Deciduous fruit trees are usually low-pollen
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Most roses are allergy-friendly
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Plants with bright, showy flowers typically rely on insects—not wind—for pollination
For additional guidance, the website www.pollenlibrary.com allows users to search plants by name or ZIP code and rates more than 1,200 species by allergen level.
