Sneezes and scratchy eyes — hay fever season is here again. Canberra holds the title of Australia’s allergy capital, with tree pollen season stretching from mid-July to October, followed by grasses until December.
The problem lies with wind-pollinated trees. Their pollen is light, invisible, and easily carried across long distances. Pines, cypresses, elms, birch, alder, ash and plane trees are among the worst offenders. By contrast, insect-pollinated plants — like wattles and roses — have heavier, stickier pollen that falls quickly and is less likely to trigger symptoms.
If you’re planning a garden, choosing low-pollen species can make a big difference. Removing or replacing high-pollen trees, especially near bedrooms or outdoor living spaces, can help ease hay fever and asthma symptoms.
Trees to Plant (Low-Allergy Choices)
- Australian natives: Bottlebrush and Banksia
- Fruit trees: Apple, Cherry, Crabapple, Pear
- Ornamentals: Magnolia, Chinese Pistachio
- Special varieties: Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba), sterile Ash (e.g. Safe Haven™ Fraxinus griffithii)
These species are insect-pollinated, nectar-rich, or sterile — meaning their pollen won’t travel through the air.
Trees to Avoid (High-Pollen Offenders)
- Cypress (including White Cypress/Murray Pine)
- Casuarina (Sheoak) – produces pollen year-round
- Pines (all species)
- Alder, Ash, Birch, Elm, Plane, Poplar, Willow
- Olive, Mulberry, Oak, Maple, Walnut, Hickory, Cottonwood, Beech, Pecan
- Box Hedges (common in Canberra gardens)
Resources like the Canberra Pollen website provide daily forecasts to help sufferers plan their days. But the best long-term solution starts in your own backyard: planting smarter.
By choosing low-allergy trees and avoiding wind-pollinated species, you can create a garden that supports biodiversity, brings colour and shade — and lets you breathe easier this spring.
apple trees are considered low pollen trees