Tree pollen is the major airborne pollen type in the spring. In Oklahoma and other southern states, the spring pollen season begins in February. The further north you go, the later the season starts. In the south, when we are nearing the end of the tree pollen season, it is just starting some of the northern states.
In the Tulsa area, the spring pollen season has the highest atmosphere pollen concentrations of the year. The majority of trees reproduce during spring although there are some fall pollinating trees. During April, we may see 20 or more different pollen types in the air on any one day.
Common Airborne Tree Pollen in the Spring
In addition to trees listed above, we occasionally see other types of tree pollen in our air samples. This include pollen from Alnus (alder), Carpinus/Ostrya (hornbeam/hophornbeam), Corylus (hazelnut), Fagus (beech), Ginkgo (ginkgo), Ligustrum (privet), Myrica (bayberry), Sambucus (elderberry), and Tilia (basswood, linden). While not abundant in our air samples, these pollen types may be more abundant in habitats where the plants are growing.
Weeds that produce pollen in the spring include dock (Rumex), sedge family (Cyperaceae), and nettle family (Urticaceae). Also grass pollen (Poaceae) is produced beginning in spring. In fact, grass pollen is typically at peak levels in late May.
Although the late summer and fall weed season (with high ragweed pollen concentrations) may be worse symptomatically for individuals with hay fever, fewer species of plants produce airborne pollen in fall.