Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe Worst Trees for AllergiesOther Trees and AllergiesEffects of PollenDiagnosisTreatmentLow Pollen Trees
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
The Worst Trees for Allergies
Other Trees and Allergies
Effects of Pollen
Diagnosis
Treatment
Low Pollen Trees
The worst trees for allergies are those that release pollen into the air. The trees people are most commonly allergic to are birch, oak, and cedar trees.
Many people are alsoallergic to tree pollen(also calledhay feveror seasonal allergic rhinitis). From March to May, certain trees produce powdery pollen. When it blows around, that pollen can cause allergy symptoms (such as congestion, itchy and watery eyes, and sinus pressure) to rev up.
Here is a list of trees that are most likely to contribute to your seasonal allergy symptoms.
Verywell / Joules Garcia
An Overview of Pollen Allergies
While you might think that flowering trees are the worst allergy culprits, most of the trees that are likely to cause allergies do not have noticeable flowers. That’s why they rely on the wind for pollination and therefore need to release a lot of pollen into the air.
Birch Trees
Birch trees are deciduous trees with tall trunks and papery bark. The color of the bark ranges from white to salmon to purple. Birch trees can be found in nearly every state in the U.S. and grow mostly in cooler regions.
Birch trees release their pollen between January to April, depending on their location.
Cedar Trees
Although not native to the U.S., many varieties of cedar trees grow throughout the U.S. They are evergreen trees with needle-like leaves, thick trunks, and peeling bark.Cedar trees pollinate in the winter from approximately mid-December through February.
Oak Trees
There are roughly 450 known species of oak, with about 60 varieties native to North America. Oak trees vary in size and shape: from shrub-like to large, stately shade trees. In the fall, the green leaves change to various shades of red, orange, yellow, and brown before dropping in the winter. Oak trees produce acorns when pollinated.
The pollination period for oak trees occurs during the spring, starting as early as February and extending into May in some regions.
Everything You Need to Know About Seasonal Allergies
Other Trees That Cause Allergic Reactions
Along with birch, cedar, and oak trees, the following trees can also cause seasonal allergies:
Can You Be Allergic to Christmas Trees?
Why Trees Cause Allergic Reactions
During early to late spring, many trees release a large amount of pollen. The wind blows the pollen through the air and eventually to other trees of the same species.If the pollen lands in your eyes, nose, or respiratory system, it can also cause allergy symptoms.
Diagnosing a Tree Pollen Allergy
Trees often release pollen before other plants do. If you experienceallergysymptoms early in the spring, you might have a tree pollen allergy. The symptoms of tree pollen allergies include:
You might notice that these symptoms are worse on days with a higher pollen count. Pollen counts are highest in the morning, peak about midday, and then gradually fall. The lowest pollen counts are usually in the late afternoon to early evening.
To get a definitive diagnosis of tree pollen allergies, you’ll need to see a healthcare provider. They can make a diagnosis throughallergy testing.
Potential tests that providers use to diagnose allergies include:
Seasonal Allergies in Kids
Managing Tree Pollen Allergies
If you know you are allergic to tree pollen, start taking allergy medication in the weeks leading up to the time your allergies usually start. Getting ahead of your reaction will help you manage your hay fever symptoms.
During the spring, you can also take steps to limit your exposure to pollen.For example:
Tree pollen allergies can last throughout the pollen season, which peaks in the spring. However, people with severe tree pollen allergies can also experience symptoms fromeating foods that have been exposed to pollen, like apples and other fruits.
Although there are many over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medications available, it’s still a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider about your allergy symptoms, especially if your allergies are persistent. They can let you know which treatment will be the most helpful.
How to Treat and Prevent Spring Allergy Symptoms
Popular Trees With Low Pollen
Some trees you can plant and enjoy without worrying about tree pollen allergies include:
Summary
Tree allergies are a common cause of hay fever symptoms, especially in the early spring. Birch, cedar, and oak trees are the most likely to cause hay fever, but other trees that rely on the wind to spread their pollen around can also contribute.
Climate Change Is Driving Longer, More Severe Pollen Seasons, Study Finds
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Pollen allergy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Tree pollen: spring’s first allergy offender.Arbor Day Foundation.Birch.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Can birch trees trigger food allergies?U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.Cedrus - the true cedars.Allergy and Asthma Network.In the southwest, cedar fever soars in the winter.Utah State University.Oaks in the landscape.The Cary Institute.The oak tree, quercus species.Urban Forestry Tree Service.How trees reproduce.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Tree pollen allergy.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Pollen allergy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Tree pollen: spring’s first allergy offender.Arbor Day Foundation.Birch.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Can birch trees trigger food allergies?U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.Cedrus - the true cedars.Allergy and Asthma Network.In the southwest, cedar fever soars in the winter.Utah State University.Oaks in the landscape.The Cary Institute.The oak tree, quercus species.Urban Forestry Tree Service.How trees reproduce.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Tree pollen allergy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Pollen allergy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Tree pollen: spring’s first allergy offender.Arbor Day Foundation.Birch.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Can birch trees trigger food allergies?U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.Cedrus - the true cedars.Allergy and Asthma Network.In the southwest, cedar fever soars in the winter.Utah State University.Oaks in the landscape.The Cary Institute.The oak tree, quercus species.Urban Forestry Tree Service.How trees reproduce.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Tree pollen allergy.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Pollen allergy.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Tree pollen: spring’s first allergy offender.
Arbor Day Foundation.Birch.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Can birch trees trigger food allergies?
U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.Cedrus - the true cedars.
Allergy and Asthma Network.In the southwest, cedar fever soars in the winter.
Utah State University.Oaks in the landscape.
The Cary Institute.The oak tree, quercus species.
Urban Forestry Tree Service.How trees reproduce.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Tree pollen allergy.
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