It’s the infamous cedar fever season in Canyon Lake.
Fatigue, sore throat, runny nose, partial loss of smell and a fever of less than 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit could mean an allergic reaction to pollen released by mountain cedar trees instead of a virus.
In Texas, the predominant species of mountain cedar is Ashe juniper, making cedar fever especially irritating in the Hill Country west of I-35 where there are primarily juniper trees mixed in with oaks and a few other species. The quantity and density of Ashe junipers in Central Texas compound the allergic misery for many.
These trees typically begin producing pollen in mid-December, often triggered by colder weather or the passage of a cold front. Pollen production reaches its peak in mid-January, before slowly tapering off toward the beginning of March.
“Cold fronts are marked by very dry and windy conditions with rapid pressure changes which trigger pollen cones to open and release pollen grains,” Texas A&M Forest Service Biologist and ISA Certified Arborist Robert Edmondson said in a statement. “In certain conditions, you can even see the pollen blowing off trees.”
Although cedar fever can be treated with allergy medications and antihistamines, an ounce of prevention might be worth a pound of cure.
The Forest Service suggests checking for allergy reports on the local news and staying inside on pollen-heavy days. On those days keep windows and doors closed. Change air filters in cars and homes as new filters are better at removing particles like pollen from the air.
Do not, however, cut down ashe junipers.
Because the pollen is airborne it can blow for miles. Also, “male” trees release pollen, not “female” trees, which have smaller reproductive cones.
For more information about how to identify Ashe junipers and/or eastern red cedars, check out the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Texas Tree ID webpage or the My Tree ID mobile app.
