Groningen takes hay fever into account when planting trees, most municipalities do not |
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Survey: pollen rarely a fixed part of tree policy
The municipality of Groningen takes hay fever and pollen into account when planting trees. This is notable, as many other municipalities do not do this in a structural way. This is evident from a national survey among municipalities and an analysis of tree policy by the television programme Radar.
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A total of 181 municipalities took part in the survey. Most do not include tree pollen as a fixed element in their policy. A small group does so occasionally or on a project basis, but a significant number do not consider it at all. Municipalities that say they do take hay fever into account mainly look at planting locations, such as near schools, residential streets and healthcare facilities. According to the results, this happens much less along cycling and walking routes.
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A total of 181 municipalities took part in the survey. Most do not include tree pollen as a fixed element in their policy
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No national guidelines
There are no national guidelines for including hay fever and pollen load in municipal tree policy. The targeted selection of tree species that spread less pollen is limited. Highly allergenic species remain part of the standard assortment in many municipalities. More than half of the municipalities have no fixed policy on this issue and see no reason to change that.
Groningen makes allergenicity a fixed criterion
The municipality of Groningen is an exception. In its current tree plan, the municipality already considers the allergenic properties of tree species. In the new tree plan, this will become a fixed criterion for all new plantings. Groningen uses the Tree Compass of the Leiden University Medical Center and its own species list.
A spokesperson explains that the municipality wants to prevent highly pollen-producing trees from being planted in large numbers in places where many people spend time daily. 'We want to limit alders, birches and hazels there as much as possible.'
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Highly allergenic species remain part of the standard assortment in many municipalities
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This article was first published on 9 February 2026 on the website of Stad + Groen: https://www.stad-en-groen.nl/article/52917/groningen-weegt-hooikoorts-mee-bij-bomen-meeste-gemeenten-doen-dat-niet?preview=on
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