Reminds me of Crepe Myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:387067}}

Thankyou very much, I will have my friend look at several websites with photos to confirm, especiall looking at the trunk, etc. But I think you are correct.

Thanks and if anybody else has any more information or disagrees that would be appreciated.

Denny

Should be a: ÂNatchez Crapemyrtle
Scientific name: (Lagerstroemia x ÂNatchezÂ)

We have two Natchez Crape myrtles they do have a strong fragrance and pollen which some people might be allergic to.

The flowers are insect-pollinated, so don't release pollen into the wind and can't cause allergies. The allergy is far more likely to be caused by something else in the general area, maybe a weedy field full of ragweed (which is a known bad allergen provider).

Resin

That is interesting about if no pollen no allergies, I am asthmatic and I know any perfumy odor at all will set me off.
I have a Chinese Cheshnut tree that stinks horribly, been freshly reminded of that since the blossoms are just dropping now, and I am sure that it is insect pollinated and I believe odor causes more problems than pollen. So, I think it could still be the tree?

I do appreciate the great replies, thankyou all.

Denny

"Chinese Chestnut.....I am sure that it is insect pollinated"
The male flowers on CC are called catkins. Like all plants that produce catkins the pollen is wind-dispersed. It is entirely possible that the chestnut was the cause of your problems.
Sam

If it is really the scent that you are allergic (unusual, but far from impossible), then it is a fair worry.

I guess I've heard of so many cases though, where people just think it is the scent that causes it, when it is actually the pollen from some inconspicuous plant nearby that happens to flower at the same time as the scented plant. Wind-blown pollen usually is from inconspicuous plants, as they don't need to be showy to attract bees. An example: "Goldenrod is frequently blamed for hayfever, but simply happens to have a showy flower that blooms about the same time [as ragweed]. Goldenrod is innocent, as it is entomophilous, ie. insect pollinated. Its pollen is heavy and sticky, and cannot become airborne." (Ragweed, wikipedia article).

Resin

Sam, the person with the problem is 200 miles from my Chestnut Tree, I just do not like the smell, but it does not give me any reaction. But I have never noticed any pollen from it, so it must be minute, but the odor travels easily 50 feet from the tree.
I live in an area called the Pine Barrens of NJ and we get solid yellow with pollen in May, but luckily most people are not bothered a lot by the pine and oak pollen, more of a nuisance than a health problem in my opinion.

Resin, believe me when I say smells, cause more asthma attacks and sinus problems than people think.

I would cut my Chinese Chesnut tree down in an instant if a neighbor complained and said it was bothering them healthwise.

Thanks again for all the comments.

Denny

So the next question is, if wind pollinated only why the strong smell?

Pollen travels miles and miles by wind, if you are allergic to pollen, it will not only be coming in to you from the tree next door but from trees across town, from the next towns over or from a national park three hundred miles away.

If we eliminated all plants that have wind borne pollen and that have triggered allergy in some people we would have no willow, birch, ash, hickory, aspen, oak, maple, pine, spruce,fir trees; no corn, wheat, rye, oats, barley to eat and no grass growing in lawns.

If you have allergies, see your doctor. There are very effective treatments available.

Here is a link that might be useful: About Allergy

I have asthma and allergies. I take Advair250 and a nasal inhalant - I'd rather do that and live among pollen bearing plants than try to do away with the plants.
Resin, ragweed only blooms in the fall here.
Sherry