Silver birch trees are alleged to cause a range of health problems.
Silver birch trees are alleged to cause a range of health problems.
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A woman is in hospital fighting for her life after a suspected allergic reaction to silver birch trees.
Elsbeth Tothill, known as Jimmo, is suffering from a severe respiratory disease, possibly caused by exposure to silver birch pollen, a Christchurch newspaper reported today.
Tom Tothill said his wife'slife hung in the balance in Christchurch Hospital's intensive care unit because of her allergic reaction.
"It's very worrying. She is very, very sick."
Jimmo Tothill, 71, was admitted to hospital a month ago but was put into a coma earlier this week because her lungs were struggling to function on their own, her husband said.
The Tothill's house is next to a council park which has several silver birch trees.
Tom Tothill said his wife had suffered allergic reactions to the trees during the two and a half years they had lived at their Fendalton home.
Her latest reaction happened soon after the couple returned home after a long period away.
Scientist Professor Ian Spellerberg, director of Lincoln University's Isaac Centre for Nature Conservation, told the newspaper last year local authorities should consider removing birches from public places because of their tendency to cause health problems such as lip-swelling, nausea, wheezing and vomiting.
