Rowan and hazel

[aquilegia]

I want to get another tree for my garden. I would love a Silver Birch but apparently it's really bad for hayfever/allergies. Another of my favourites is Rowan. Is it wind or insect pollinated? (aparently plants are ok for allergic people if they are insect pollinated) How about hazelnuts?

If it's wind pollianted, can you suggest something else that would be suitable? (not fruit, this is in addition to fruit trees!)

[aquilegia]

[Palustris]

Rowans are insect pollinated. Hazels are wind.

[aquilegia]

Rowan it is, then. Thanks!

[Beersmith]

I think you are wise to consider this issue.

I do not and have never suffered from hay fever. Even so, the effect of walking underneath a London Plane tree in May produces an effect on me a bit like being tear gassed.

[hippydave]

Rowans are good for birds too and slower growing than a hazel.

[aquilegia]

Beersmith - it's not just hayfever for me, it also triggers allergies to raw fruits. After reacting to strawberries a few weeks ago, I don't want to make my allergies any worse.

Of course there's nothing I can do about the oak tree and lime trees just beyond my back fence!

I love rowan anyway. It's one of the first trees I can remember liking from when I was in infant school.

[Vinlander]

If you want a small neat tree that produces food then Amelanchier berries (rose family - uses insects) are much more tasty and useful than rowan - but so edible they need netting.

On the other hand if you want ornamental berries that are visible for months you need berries that are barely edible like rowan.

A useful compromise is a crab apple (also rose family) - I've found that "Gorgeous" produces tiny eating apples - does anyone know of a better tasting crab?

Cheers.

PS. I think the very beautiful pineapple guava (Feijoa/Acca)is bird-pollinated - is that better still? But if you want the amazing flowers you should buy them from a fruit specialist (self fertile are available) - the "florists varieties" (translation - random seedlings) at the garden centre are notoriously shy to flower.