Those familiar with Wagga's CBD would be able to spot the London plane trees that provide large shady canopies in the warmer months while boosting the city's character.

For Clare Reeves, however they are notorious for triggering asthma attacks, as well as watering eyes, a congested nose and rashes on her skin.

The 20-year-old, who suffers from asthma, said she feels "powerless and unsafe," which is an experience she was not alone in, but the only advice her doctor could give was "try and avoid it," she said.

"I had felt like I shouldn't be applying for jobs in the CBD, but then that's where the jobs are," she said.

"Last year, working on Baylis Street, I was not the only employee who had to take sick days to treat asthma attacks, watering eyes and skin rashes on our bare arms from the plane trees."

While she does not deny they are beautiful trees, and an asset as far as shade is concerned, Miss Reeves said these benefits do not outweigh the health risks.

"There are so many young adults and children having asthma attacks and it is difficult to explain to an employers that there are times where I can't actually work and I found it was really difficult to work efficiently as well," she said.

Wagga council's city strategy manager Tristan Kell said these plane trees are a really important aspect to the city's environment, however the council does accept that it is never appropriate to rely on one species alone.

The focus moving forward, Mr Kell said was to ensure that one species did not dominate the urban canopy.

"We appreciate the need for introducing a variety of species to ensure faster growth, to get more canopy sooner, less maintenance and to prevent disease, and hopefully that will reduce the impact on health," he said.

Murrumbidgee Local Health District's respiratory clinical nurse consultant Robyn Paton said these trees can be an issue, however the best they can do is work with people who are sensitive to those pollens and make sure they understand how to manage any symptoms.

"There are some of us who are sensitive to different triggers, but it is about getting the education of what you are sensitive to and avoiding them when you can and managing what you can't avoid," she said.

"Having an action plan is very important so that when symptoms get out of control, people know what to do, what to take and when to seek medical help."

Mrs Paton said they were working with the council in other areas to help them recognise that there are some plants that are more asthma friendly than others.

"If we do get any new plantings in the future we should consider species that are bird and insect pollinated and not wind pollinated," she said.