It’s well-known that pollen causes hayfever, an allergy with symptoms like a blocked nose and an itchy throat. But if you find yourself experiencing hayfever symptoms earlier in the year, you may be allergic to tree pollen. Here at Broadleaf, we work with all different kinds of trees and hedges. We know exactly what it’s like to be constantly wiping your nose and itching your eyes, which is why we produced some information for you on Tree Pollen. First things first, what exactly is tree pollen?
Tree pollen is a small, powdery substance that is made up of spores. It is released by male trees for the purpose of fertilisation through pollination. It can be carried by the wind, water and different types of creatures including bees, birds and beetles.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about tree pollen with us at Broadleaf Tree Surgery.
When Is Tree Pollen Season?
Tree pollen season usually happens from February to June. Weather and temperature are important factors for when the trees produce and release their pollen. Tree pollen tends to respond best to a temperature range of between 13 – 15 °C and when there is a lot of sunlight.
Wind and rain are also determining factors in tree pollen levels. Trees such as Birch need moderate to high wind levels in order to disperse pollen whereas Ash trees only need moderate to light winds to be dispersed. Large quantities of rainfall will decrease the tree pollen concentration in the air and keep levels low throughout the day.
The type of tree will determine when it produces pollen for reproduction. The time of year when the pollen season reaches its peak varies from type to type:
- Deciduous Trees, such as Ash and Birch, usually reach their pollen peak around April.
- Evergreens, such as Pine and Yew, reach their pollen peak around March to May.
- Woody Trees, such as Dogwood and Maple, will reach their pollen peak typically around April to May.
- Oak Trees reach their pollen peak around May.
If you suffer from a tree pollen allergy, why not get in contact with us to see what service we can offer to help maintain the pollen levels in your garden so that you can enjoy your garden this spring?
What Time Of Day Is Worst For Tree Pollen?
The worst time of day for tree pollen is during the morning and the evening. In the morning, tree pollen is first shed and you may find it triggers your symptoms of hayfever. Tree pollen levels will be worse in the evening too as the pollen descends from the air to nose level.
What Is The Difference Between Grass and Tree Pollen?
Most people are aware that grass pollen causes allergies but only 25% of people are allergic to tree pollen. Most people suffer from hayfever, therefore it’s crucial to monitor the pollen levels in your local area so you can plan your day accordingly. As tree pollen is released earlier in the year, it’s important to recognise the difference between each type of pollen.
Grass Pollen:
Grass pollen is the most common pollen that people are allergic to. Grass pollen season is usually around late spring into early summer. Grass pollen tends to be dispersed with the wind, making the grass pollen count higher on days with increased wind speeds.
Tree Pollen:
A tree pollen allergy is less common than a grass pollen allergy but it still heavily affects people. Trees produce two types of pollen, sticky and wind-blown. Sticky pollen doesn’t tend to give people hayfever symptoms, whereas wind-blown does as it’s released into the air where you breathe it in.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Tree Pollen Allergy?
No matter the type, pollen will cause hayfever. As pollen releases a fine powder during their reproductive cycle, it can cause the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses to become swollen, irritated and inflamed. 1 in 5 people will experience hayfever at some point in their life. The symptoms of hayfever will be heightened if you have asthma or a lung condition. The common symptoms of hayfever are:
- Frequent sneezing.
- Runny or blocked nose.
- Itchy, red or watery eyes.
- An itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears.
- Cough.
Less common symptoms, that you may still experience:
- Loss of smell.
- Facial pain.
- Headaches.
- Earaches.
- Tiredness or fatigue.
Types Of Tree Pollen:
With many types of trees out there, it’s important to recognise when each type produces pollen:
| Type Of Tree | Time Of Year |
| Birch Tree | March to June, Peaking between April and May. |
| Oak Tree | March to June, Peaking in May. |
| Pine Tree | April to July, Peaking in May. |
| Alder Tree | January to April, Peaking in March. |
| Hazel Tree | From January to April, Peaking in February and March. |
| Yew Tree | January to April, Peaking in March. |
| Elm Tree | February to April, Peaking in March. |
| Willow Tree | February to April, Peaking in March. |
| Poplar Tree | March to May, Peaking in March |
| Ash Tree | March to May, Peaking in April. |
| Plane Tree | March to May, Peaking in May. |
| Lime Tree | June to July, Peaking in June. |
Helping Tree Pollen Levels With Broadleaf Tree Surgery
If you are struggling with a tree pollen allergy and want our advice on your garden, contact us today. We will provide you with a free consultation and estimation on a service that can help you enjoy your garden all year round.
Alternatively, check out our service page to find out more about what we do and how we can help curb your allergies.
