Drive through Karachi, Lahore or Islamabad and you will see Conocarpus everywhere: tall, dense, bright green hedges along roads, in housing societies and outside homes. It became popular for good reasons. It grows fast, tolerates heat and salt, stays green all year and can be clipped into neat shapes.
But over the past few years, city authorities, doctors and environmentalists in Pakistan have raised serious concerns about it. Here is why TreeProject plants native species instead.
What is Conocarpus?
Conocarpus (commonly Conocarpus lancifolius and Conocarpus erectus) is not native to Pakistan. It comes from coastal and dry regions of Africa, Arabia and the Americas. It was widely planted in Karachi for roadside landscaping and privacy screens because it thrives in hot, dry conditions and grows quickly.
The problems
1. It has been linked to pollen allergies
Conocarpus has been widely linked in Pakistan to seasonal pollen allergies and breathing problems, especially in Islamabad and Karachi. Pakistani cities already struggle with smog and dust. Adding an allergy-linked tree to crowded streets makes the air harder on people with asthma.
2. It drinks a lot of water
Conocarpus grows fast partly because it is aggressive about finding water. In cities facing groundwater decline, like Karachi and Lahore, a thirsty non-native hedge competes with people and with native trees for scarce water.
3. Its roots can damage pipes and foundations
Its roots spread widely in search of moisture and are known to push into water lines, sewers and building foundations. That is expensive for homeowners and for city infrastructure.
4. It gives little back to wildlife
Local birds, bees and butterflies evolved alongside native trees like Neem, Beri and Pipal. A non-native hedge offers them far less food and shelter, so a street lined only with Conocarpus is green but ecologically quiet.
What cities are doing
Several Pakistani cities have moved to stop new Conocarpus planting and, in places, remove existing trees. Islamabad’s authorities have been among the most active. If you are planning a plantation drive, check your city’s current guidance before planting any species.
What to plant instead
For the same job, fast shade, a green screen or a street tree, native species work better over the long run:
- For shade in hot, dry cities: Neem, Pipal, Bargad
- For roadsides in Punjab: Sheesham, Jaman, Amaltas
- For dry or salty land: Kikar, Beri
- For a green screen or hedge: ask a local nursery for native shrubs suited to your area
Native trees grow more slowly at first, but they live far longer, need less water once established, and support the whole local ecosystem. Our city-by-city native tree guide covers what works where.
Should you cut down an existing Conocarpus?
Not necessarily straight away. A mature tree still gives shade. If it is causing root damage or allergy problems, or your city asks for removal, replace it with a native species, ideally planting the replacement before removing the old tree so the street never loses its shade.
Want to replace Conocarpus in your area with native trees? Tell us about your street or society and we’ll help plan a drive.