Certain trees and shrubs are best for school yards
Posted Jun 17, 2010 By Peter Prakke
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Tweet ThisDear Editor:
The following has been sent in response to the school yard project undertaken at Chimo Elementary School.
We often notice trees and shrubs in school yards. They make us smile, and we think what a good thing it is that they are there for the children to enjoy and good for the environment.
What we don't realize is that many of those trees and shrubs are the males of those native and non-native species. How many of us know that it is the male tree that is responsible for producing large amounts of pollen? That same pollen triggers allergies and asthma attacks in children.
Q: What should we be planting in the school yard and surrounded area?
A: We should be planting female shrubs and trees. Female trees and shrubs produce NO pollen and are therefore not to trigger allergic and asthmatic reactions.
Q: How can we tell a female from a male tree or shrub?
A: The female species are messier - drops flowers, seed pods and drops fruits. The reason male species have become so popular is because they require less cleanup. They are sold as "seedless" or "fruitless".
Have a healthy and environment friendly school yard.
Peter Prakke
Ancaster, Ontario
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