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.

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.

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.

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

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:

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.

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

Tree Pollen: Spring’s First Allergy Offender. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Accessed on October 9, 2024.
The Most Challenging Places to Live with Spring Allergies. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Accessed on October 9, 2024.

Your Guide to Tree Pollen Allergies

Your Guide to Tree Pollen Allergies

Symptoms of Tree Pollen Allergy

Common Tree Allergens

Alder tree

Ash tree

Aspen tree

Beech tree

Birch tree

Box Elder tree

Cedar tree

Cottonwood tree

Elm tree

Hickory tree

Mountain Elder tree

Mulberry tree

Oak tree

Olive tree

Pecan tree

Poplar tree

Willow tree

Tree Allergens Across the Country

The Most Common Allergenic Trees in Each Region

Midwest (elder, elm, maple)

Northeast (birch, oak, pine)

Southeast (cedar, oak, pecan)

Southeast (cedar, oak, pecan)

West (cedar, rye, walnut)

Best and Most Challenging Cities for Spring Allergy Sufferers

Tree Allergies Are Treatable