New York, NY – The city’s push to plant a million trees by 2017 is giving some New Yorkers a headache – or at least a stuffy nose and itchy eyes.
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So says Thomas Leo Ogren, author of “Allergy-Free Gardening,” who claims the city relies too much on street trees that produce allergenic pollen. “Most of the guys planting these trees don’t have allergies and don’t give a fig,” Ogren fumed.
He says the issue stems from the 1970s when Dutch elm disease wiped out most of the city’s relatively low-pollen elm population. Many were replaced by Norway maples and London planes, two allergy-unfriendly varieties.
The city stopped planting the maples a decade ago but still replaces the shady, winter-resistant London plane because they grow well in urban areas. They make up 15% of city street trees.
“You have to consider the long-term benefits the tree is providing versus the relatively short-term nuisance it is providing for some individuals,” said Liam Kavanagh, first deputy commissioner of the Parks Department.
Ogren says the city could solve the problem by planting only female trees, which don’t produce pollen like male trees do.
City arborists shy away from females because many produce messy – or in the case of ginkgos, smelly – fruit that litters sidewalks.
In Ogren’s opinion, that’s a mistake. He says the females only produce fruit because they are pollinated by the males.
His theory: no males, no pollen, no fruit, no allergies.
Bob Redman, a private Manhattan-based arborist, agrees. “Fortunately, allergy season is short compared to the year-round value of living with trees.”
this is idiotic. there are so many who suffer from allergies and many have difficulty breathing as well. if you can plant a non allergenci tree then why would anyone choose otherwise for the million tree planting plan. rocket scientist? i dont think so
Good, now the can be sued by allergy sufferers.
I put the AC in the allergy season, it helps me , but I guess that’s not counted in the study if trees are good for the environment.
“So says Thomas Leo Ogren, author of “Allergy-Free Gardening,” who claims the city relies too much on street trees that produce allergenic pollen. “Most of the guys planting these trees don’t have allergies and don’t give a fig,” Ogren fumed.”
Fig trees would not survive for long in an urban environment. That’s why the advocates of tree planting would not give one.
perhaps there shuold be a class action suit from the sufferers.
#2, i like your suggestion.
Whose “brilliant” idea was it to choose these trees? Not very professional!!