Springtime is a season filled with the lush colors of blooming trees, flowers, and green grass. And if you suffer from tree pollen allergies, you are probably all too aware of the role tree pollen plays in painting the springtime landscape.
Here are 7 surprising facts about tree pollen that will help you manage your allergies more effectively.
1. Trees are the earliest producers of pollen and production starts as early as January in warmer climates and continues through May or June in more northern regions as the weather becomes warmer. Generally trees that are very plain in appearance generate the greatest amounts with some producing over a million grains each day.
2. When most of us think of springtime pollen we picture cars, walkways, and lawn furniture covered with a greenish yellow film. This is generally pollen from pine trees. It is heavy in weight and falls out of the air easily and surprisingly is not the tree pollen that triggers most pollen allergies even though it gets a lot of the blame.
3. Pollens most likely to trigger allergies are light weight and as such can remain in the air for long periods of time, are easily carried by the wind, travel great distances to germinate, and in trying to complete this mission find their way into the nasal passages of approximately 35 million Americans who are allergic.
4. Trees whose pollen is most likely to affect those with allergies include the male Ash, Box Elder, Elm, Hickory, Pecan, and Mountain Cedar. If you have a choice, select female versions of these same trees as they produce no pollen.
5. The good news is that out of the myriad of tree species available, less than 100 trigger allergies. So as an allergy sufferer you can still look forward to beautifully flowering trees as a part of your home's spring, summer, and fall landscape. Many trees such as the Crepe Myrtle, Dogwood, Pear, Plum, and Redbud offer a wonderful addition of color while still being allergy friendly.
6. Weather can greatly affect the intensity of the season as well as the daily count. A late winter freeze of snow or ice can greatly reduce pollen production. A winter of mild temperatures followed by a spring of warm weather causes increased production.
Dry windy days enable the almost invisible grains to spread for miles, whereas a heavy rain can clear the air and literally provide a breath of fresh, pollen free air-at least for a little while. Give yourself an advantage by checking the local weather for the pollen count in your area, and save outdoor activities for days when the pollen count is low.
7. Because many of the allergy triggering pollens are nearly invisible, they can easily infiltrate your home and office by clinging to clothes, pets, book bags, brief cases or by being blown in through open doors as you come and go. Using a high efficiency particle arresting air purifier will constantly eliminate all types of pollen from your indoor air.
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