Your Guide to
Tree Pollen
Allergies

 

 

Your Guide to
Tree Pollen
Allergies

Trees can start producing pollen as early as January or February in Southern states and carry on until June. For seasonal allergy sufferers, that can feel like a lifetime. 

In 2021, approximately 81 million people in the U.S. were diagnosed with seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Learning about specific trees, highly pollenated areas and treatment options can help allergy sufferers alleviate their symptoms.

Symptoms of Tree Pollen Allergy

Tree pollen is easily carried by the wind for miles, making it hard to avoid. Common tree pollen allergy symptoms are similar to those caused by other allergens.

Pollen also comes from grasses and weeds, and those allergic reactions have similar symptoms. Regardless of the source, these symptoms are commonly known as hay fever.

 

Common Tree Allergens

It’s hard to avoid tree pollen in spring, but learning about the worst trees for allergies is a good start. Knowing what each tree looks like might help you avoid areas where they are prominent.

Adler tree leaves.

Adler Tree

Ash tree leaves

Ash Tree

Worst trees for allergies: Aspen tree

Aspen Tree

Worst trees for allergies: Beech tree

Beech Tree

Worst trees for allergies: Birch tree

Birch tree

Worst trees for allergies: Box Elder tree

Box Elder

Worst trees for allergies: Cedar tree

Cedar Tree

Worst trees for allergies: Cottonwood tree

Cottonwood Tree

Worst trees for allergies: Elm tree

Elm Tree

Worst trees for allergies: Hickory tree

Hickory

Worst trees for allergies: Mountain Elder tree

Mountain Elder

Worst trees for allergies: Mulberry tree

Mulberry Tree

Worst trees for allergies: Oak tree

Oak Tree

Worst trees for allergies: Olive tree

Olive Tree

Worst trees for allergies: Pecan tree

Pecan Tree

Worst trees for allergies: Poplar tree

Poplar Tree

Worst trees for allergies: Willow tree

Willow tree

Tree Allergens Across the Country

No matter where you live, you can’t completely avoid tree pollen, which can blow for miles. Overall, the Western United States tends to produce fewer tree allergens. Ocean breezes tend to blow allergens inland, so living near a beach may provide some relief.

The Most Common Allergenic Trees in Each Region

The Most Common Allergenic Trees in Each Region

Leaf outline represents Elder, Elm and Maple tree leaves found most in Midwest.

Midwest
(Elder, Elm, Maple)

Leaf outline represents Birch, Oak and Pine tree leaves found most in Northeast.

Northeast
(Birch, Oak, Pine) 

Leaf outline represents Cedar, Oak and Pecan tree leaves found most in Southeast.

Southeast
(Cedar, Oak, Pecan) 

Leaf outline represents Cedar, Rye and Walnut tree leaves found most in West.

West
(Cedar, Rye, Walnut)

Best and Most Challenging Cities for Spring Allergy Sufferers

Severe tree allergy sufferers may want to reconsider moving to certain areas. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, airborne allergies are worst around the following cities:

US map with best cities for spring allergy sufferers marked in yellow and most challenging cities marked in red.
Tree Allergies Are Treatable

Talk to a doctor or allergist to get options for how to relieve your tree pollen allergy symptoms. Common products include: antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays. Claritin® products come in multiple forms for kids and adults and relieve allergy symptoms that can be caused by more than 200 different airborne allergens.*,†
*Like those from pets, pollen, dust and mold. 
†Claritin® is an antihistamine so it hinders the cascade triggered by allergens.

Other allergy tips include keeping windows closed, learning about trees in your area, taking a shower before bed, changing your clothes when you come inside and avoiding outside activity before 10 a.m.

References

References