Central Texans Getting More Than Fair Share Of Oak Pollen

Experts say pollen counts significantly higher than average  

Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, [email protected]

Contacts: Daphne Richards, 512-854-9600, [email protected]

David Rodriguez, 210-631-0400, [email protected]

AUSTIN – Central Texas allergy sufferers are having a tough time because oak trees have been producing significantly more pollen this spring, said Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulturists serving the area.

Daphne Richards, AgriLife Extension horticulturist, Travis County, said a major reason oak trees in the region have been producing more pollen goes back to last fall.

“I’ve had a lot of people also comment on the number of catkins in their grass and I tell them not to be concerned as this material breaks down rapidly in the soil, so there is no need to remove and dispose of it,” he said. “Not only that, those catkins can serve a useful purpose by being mowed and incorporated in the lawn or used in flower beds as a short-term mulch. It can also be added to your compost pile.”

Richards said now is a tough time of year for people with allergies associated with flora as they typically suffer from them in the spring when plants are flowering and there’s a lot of pollen in the air.

“But people in this region who are still feeling the effects of an oak pollen allergy at this juncture are probably just being affected by the leftover pollen still circulating in the air. We’re actually getting pretty close to the end of the time frame when oak pollen will be a real problem for people with that particular allergy.”

Unfortunately, Richards added, there will be additional plant allergens from grasses and other flowering plants through the spring and beyond, so she suggests waiting a while before putting the handkerchief back in the drawer.

“Allergy season is cyclical and happens whenever allergens are in the air,” she said. “It’s truly never-ending; it just goes up and down. But more of the population is allergic to pollen from wind-pollinated plants, and that pollen is most prolific in the spring.”