The Trees that Smell of Semen

So here is a springtime story for you.  Have you smelt the trees and shrubs that smell like semen?  It’s a much discussed subject on the web every spring when there are stories like “The Sperm Trees of Los Angeles.”  If you don’t believe me, try googling it. Almost everyone hates the smell, it seems, and I confess it doesn’t do much for me.  It reminds some people of bleach.

But which trees and shrubs are the culprits?

There are many…  The most likely offender is the Bradford Pear, a profusion of white blossoms every February permeating the air. If it isn't that, perhaps it's a Carob tree – we have some near the house and in Balboa Park and I can confirm they have “the smell.” Another favorite is the Ailanthus or Tree of Heaven although I can’t confirm that one. There are other odiferous trees and shrubs all over the country. Other offenders can include several types of privet and chestnut. In the photo is what I think is a privet from our garden – I can confirm the strong semen smell - perhaps someone can identify it?

The fact is, many trees smell like semen when they are in full bloom and most of them are invasive species, which is somewhat interesting. More interesting is that humans and plants may have evolved separately on this planet but we still have a few things in common, it seems.  In a number of other countries, because of associated problems with asthma and invasive tendencies, many of these trees and shrubs are vigorously banned and banished.  Ailanthus and privet are particularly bad.