As we move into spring, each year great clouds of yellowy-green pollen start to rise from the island’s pine and fir forests. Like many wind pollinated species, pines and firs produce massive quantities of pollen, which inevitably will settle and coat vehicles, balconies and windows.

Many people believe that they have allergies to pine and fir pollen. In most parts of the Northern Hemisphere where it has been studied, however, only about 2 to 3% of the population show reactivity to it. The chemical composition of the pollen skin makes it less likely to cause allergies than other types of pollen.

The pine and fir pollen season usually lasts about 2-3 weeks, but that is very dependent on weather conditions. Dry conditions and warm temperatures are needed for the trees to begin producing the pollen, but periods of rain will keep the pollen from being distributed as far by the wind. Since trees respond to weather conditions, a hard winter can cause the trees to produce more pollen.