Female mulberry trees do not release pollen. Unlike their male counterparts, female mulberry trees do not produce pollen, which is the main cause of allergies in humans. This is because the pollen is necessary for the process of fertilization and the production of fruit.
Mulberry trees are dioecious, which means that they have separate male and female trees. The male trees produce pollen, while the female trees bear fruit. The reason for this separation is to ensure cross-pollination and increase the chances of successful reproduction.
The pollen produced by the male mulberry trees is transported by wind or insects to the female trees, where it fertilizes the flowers and enables them to develop into fruits. The fruit of the mulberry tree is a small, edible berry that varies in color from white to red or black, depending on the species.
However, in urban areas, it is more common to find male mulberry trees planted than females. This is because the fruit produced by the female trees can create a mess on the sidewalks when they fall, staining the ground and causing potential slip hazards. Additionally, the fruits are known to attract birds, which can lead to droppings and increased bird activity in urban areas.
To avoid these issues, city planners often opt for planting male mulberry trees, which do not bear fruit. This reduces the maintenance required to clean up fallen berries and minimizes the attraction of birds to the area.
While the absence of fruit-bearing female mulberry trees may be beneficial for cleanliness and bird activity control, it does mean that the majority of mulberry trees in cities are pollen-producing males. This can be problematic for individuals who suffer from pollen allergies.
Allergies to mulberry tree pollen can cause symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and respiratory discomfort. For allergy sufferers, the presence of male mulberry trees in urban areas can exacerbate their symptoms, especially during the spring when the trees release their pollen.
Female mulberry trees do not produce pollen, while male mulberry trees do. City planners often choose to plant male trees to avoid the mess and bird attraction caused by fruit-bearing female trees. This prevalence of male trees in urban areas can be troublesome for individuals with pollen allergies, as the male mulberry trees contribute to the pollen count in the surrounding environment.