Best low-pollen trees - The Sunset Strip; for allergy sufferers - Brief Article

Sunset, Oct, 2003 by Julie Chai

Horticulturist Thomas Ogren, author of five books, including Safe Sex in the Garden and Other Propositions for an Allergy-Free World (Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, 2003; $15; www.tenspeedpress.com or 800/841-2665), has created a system to rank the allergy-causing potential of many widely used landscape plants. Below are some trees that Ogren has found to be pollen-free or close to it; all are great choices for fall planting in the West. Visit www.allergyfree-gardening.com for more information on allergy-free gardening.

Alpine totara (Podocarpus nivalis 'Green Queen' and 'Little Lady')

Box elder (Acer negundo 'Variegata')

Chinese fan palm (Livistona chinensis)

Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana 'Canaertii', 'Chamberlaynii', or 'Pendula Virdis')

English holly (Ilex aquifolium 'San Gabriel')

Narrowleaf ash (Fraxinus angustifolia 'Flame')

Paul's Scarlet hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata 'Paul's Scarlet')