Tree Pollen Allergies: Male Trees Aren't the Main Culprit

The idea that high pollen counts are caused by planting only male trees is a myth. Most tree species have perfect flowers (both sexes in one) or separate male/female flowers on the same tree. True dioecious species (separate male/female plants) are a minority.

The major spring pollen producers in the Southeast—mulberry, pine, oak, sycamore—are not male-only trees. Avoiding these specific species in your yard can slightly reduce local pollen, but the regional pollen cloud is unavoidable.