Kingston, Ontario
Predominant pollen:
The tree pollen seasons can fluctuate from year to year by as much as two to three weeks at this site due to the effect of weather. The pollen seasons described here try to cover the time when each can occur.
Acer sp.- Maple season fluctuates due to the number of species present and the effect of weather. The season can start from the second to the third week of March and end mid to late May. High counts are observed and some species can create allergic reactions.
Alnus sp.- The alder season can begin mid to late March and end mid-June to early July. Low and moderate, with an occasional high, counts are observed. At these levels allergic reactions could occur.
Betula sp.- The birch season can start from mid to late April and end the third week of May to mid-June. Very high counts are observed. They are considered important allergens. Birch look-a-likes' season occurs between mid-April to early June and the counts, depending on the year, can get high. Some species are considered allergenic.
Corylus sp.- The hazelnut season can begin mid-March to late April and end late April to early May. Only low counts are observed. May not be of importance at these levels.
Tsuga sp.- The hemlock season can vary from year to year in how much pollen can be produced and season length. This is due to the effect of weather and cyclical patterns of the species. The season can start from the second to the third week of May and end the first to the third week of July . Some years moderate counts are observed whereas other years only sporadic low counts are captured on our sampler.
Carya sp.- The hickory season can start from early to late May and end mid to late June. The season varies from year to year. Most years low and moderate counts are observed.
Castenea- The chestnut season can start early May to early June and end mid to late June. The season can vary from year to year and the occasional moderate count is observed.
Juglans sp.- The walnut season can start from early to mid-May and end the first to the last week of June. Some years the counts can get moderate.
Populus sp.- The poplar, cottonwood, and aspen season can start around the third week of March and ends the second to the third week of May. The counts vary from low to high and may cause allergic reactions.
Cupressaceae family- The cedar, juniper, and yew season can start early to late March and end late May to mid-June. Very high counts are observed. Most of the species in Canada are not considered allergenic.
Tilia sp.- The season for the linden and basswood varies a great deal from year to year. Some years moderate counts are observed whereas other years only rare sporadic low counts are captured. The season can start late June to early July and end mid to late July.
Fraxinus sp.- The ash season can start from the first to the third week of March and end the third week of May to early June. Very high counts are observed. Allergic reactions could occur in sensitized individuals.
Pinaceae family- High counts are observed throughout the pollen season. The season can start from about mid-April to the second week of May and end early to late July. High counts are observed. May cause reactions in highly sensitized individuals.
Quercus sp.- The oak season can start from the second to the third week of April and ends early to mid-June. The counts can get very high. Some species are considered allergenic.
Fagus sp.- The beech season can vary from year to year not only on when the season can occur but also in how much pollen is produced. Some years the counts are low and sporadic whereas other years occasional moderate counts are observed. The season can start from mid-april to the first week of may and ends by the third week of may or the beggining of june.
Salix sp.- The willows may cause allergic reactions in highly sensitized individuals. Low and moderate counts are usually observed, but rare high counts are possible. The season can start the second to the third week of April and end late May to early June.
Ulmus sp.- The elm are important allergens. The season can start early to late March and ends early May with the occational moderate and high counts observed.
Morus sp.- The mulberry season can last well over a month. The season can start from mid-April to early May and end early to mid-June. The counts are in the low to mederate range. They can be considered allergenic in idividuals who are highly sensitized.
Gramineae family- The grasses produce moderate and high counts from early June to late July. The season can start late April to the third week of May and end mid-October.
Ambrosia sp.- Ragweed pollen is observed late July with moderate and high counts occurring from August to late September. Low pollen counts are observed until well into October or until a hard frost occurs.
Urticaceae sp.- The nettles and parietaria are considered important in causing allergic reactions due to their small size. The season can start the first to the third week of June and end about the third week of September. The counts are in the low to moderate range.
Plantago sp.- The plantains produce mostly low counts. The season can start from the third to the last week of May and end early October. Even at these levels, allergic reactions can occur in sensitized individuals.
Predominant spores:
Diatrypaceae sp.- The counts are sporadic throughout the whole counting season. High counts can be observed from March to well into October.
Leptosphaeria sp. & Leptosphaeria look-alikes- These two are grouped together since they are in the same class of fungi and are similar microscopically. The season is May to mid-October with great fluctuations in counts from day to day. This is probably due to the effect of weather. The counts are in the moderate and high range. The look-alikes produce some very high counts.
Erysiphe (Oospora) sp.- Powdery mildew - The season is from early April to mid-October. Low to high counts are observed throughout the season.
Caloplaca sp.- Moderate counts are observed from early April to mid-October. The season is sporadic. May not be an important allergen.
Boletus sp.- The counts for this spore do get high but significance in causing allergic reactions is not well understood. The main season is mid-July to mid-October.
Coprinus sp.- This mushroom can produce moderate and high counts from early May to mid-October. Considered an important allergen.
Ganoderma sp.- This bracket fungus can produce very high counts from June to mid-October. Considered an important allergen.
Uredinales sp.- The rusts do not occur in really high numbers and not enough is known if they are of significance in causing allergic reactions at these levels. The season with significant counts is from June to mid-October.
Ustilaginales sp.- The smuts can reach high counts, allergenicity is unknown. The season is May to mid-October.
Alternaria sp.- Some species are known to cause allergic reactions. The season is from May to mid-October with the highest counts occuring July to Mid-October.
Penicillium sp. & Aspergillus sp.- These spores are found throughout the whole counting season and are probably present in significant numbers beyond that period. Significant counts are observed from March to late fall.
Botrytis sp.- This may be a significant allergen even though the counts do not get very high. The highest counts occur from June to mid-October.
Cladosporium sp.- The most abundant spore found throughout the whole season. This spore exists all year round and very high counts are known to occur from March to late fall.
Epicoccum sp.- Not found in really high numbers but some species are known to cause allergic reactions. Season is from May to mid-October.
Fusarium sp.- Counts are very sporadic throughout the whole counting season. The majority of the season occurs from May to mid-October.
Helicomyces sp.- Season is from May to mid-October producing moderate and high counts. The season is very sporadic.
Pithomyces sp.- Season is mostly in the moderate range from July to mid-October.
Torula sp.- Some species are considered allergenic. Moderate counts are observed from June to early October.
Polythrincium sp.- Allergenicity is unknown but significant counts are observed from late June to early October.
Myxomycetes- Moderate counts are observed from August to mid-October. Allergenic properties are unknown.
Last Updated : 22 July 2009
The information presented here is designed to inform, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient and a medical professional.
