Pollen season is upon us
Pollen points from South Carolina Forestry Commission:
· The pollen should be gone statewide by the end of the month.
· The yellow pollen comes from the male flowers of the pine trees releasing gametes (sperm cells) en masse
· Insects/birds do not aid pollination in pine trees, so the wind-born pollen must spread far and wide to reach as many other trees as possible.
· Pines are monoecious—each tree has both male and female reproductive structures. They can self-pollinate.
· Most trees are monoecious—some species like red cedar, persimmon, and ash are dioecious with male and female structures on separate plants
· Pollinated pines produce pine cones which contain fertilized seeds. These drop to the ground and often produce young trees
· Pine pollen is usually not the culprit in allergic reactions as the granules are much larger than other species which trigger reactions, such as oak.
· Pine pollen, while frustrating this time each year, is the “color of money” in South Carolina! Forestry and timber-related businesses constitute the number one manufacturing industry in the state in terms of jobs and payroll—with a $17.45 billion impact on the state’s economy.
Some advice for dealing with the pollen
· Keep windows closed in your home and car and use your car’s “recirculate” feature on the climate control system
· Plan outdoor activities for as late in the day as possible
· Give the lawn mower and leaf blower some time off
· Wash your clothing after being outside for longer periods of time
· Wash your pet after being outside for longer periods of time
· Wash your hair daily if spending time outdoors
· Avoid going outdoors if it’s windy
· Cross your fingers for a good rain shower soon!