What plants cause spring and summer hay fever symptoms?
Tree and grass pollens cause spring seasonal allergic rhinitis or hay fever or “cold-like” symptoms. Beech, Birch, Elm, Hickory or Pecan, Maple, Oak, Pine, and Poplar are some of the local tree pollens. Bermuda, Johnson, Meadow Fescue, Sweet Vernal, and other grasses pollinate in our area. While gardeners appreciate plentiful rain and snowfall during the winter and early spring, it may increase the suffering of pollen-allergic individuals. The intensity of the pollen season is related to the amount of moisture retained in the soil. Early tree growth (and its pollen release) combined with variable weather set the stage for a bad spring allergy season. All symptoms from outdoor exposure are not necessarily caused by pollen alone. For example, warm weather encourages mold growth, while a cold snap or drop in barometric pressure causes molds to release spores. Dry windy days raise pollen counts. Rain reduces pollen counts but only temporarily. When dry windy days follow rain, mold spores a
