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| A budding tulip tree photographed by TWCKY |
With the official beginning of spring just a few days away,
the pollen, which all of us wish would stay close to where it came from, may
soon be in our noses and throats. Our local neighborhood pharmacies, such as Thrifty Drug Store in Providence, Clay Drug Store and Bell’s Drugs in Sebree, may find many
Webster County citizens seeking out medications to help relieve their allergy symptoms.
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| A drawing similiar to a child's rendition |
I recall, as a young child, growing up in Webster County,
drawing my own rendition of what pollination was all about, as I’m sure many of
you remember doing as well. It wasn’t until I was in my teens that I sadly realized that
the pollen getting moved about affected me miserably in the fall during ragweed
season.
Springtime Allergens in Webster County
Typically, we think of what makes us sneeze or have trouble
breathing outside as just about anything that that is blooming. However,
according to pollenlibrary.com, the most significant allergens for Webster County
in the spring come from trees.
Depending on how many trees you have in or near your
environment that are one of the oak or hickory types listed in the significant allergen species group, you will have more or less exposure and symptoms than
other people in your area.
And although most of us are ready for spring, the cooler
temperatures have an affect on when the pollination period begins by prolonging it a bit.
Thankfully, when pollination does happen, most of the pollen actually goes where it is intended, to fertilize
other plants, but the part that doesn’t sure plays havoc with our sinuses and
lungs for a while.
Making Plans to Plant Trees in Webster County?
In addition to considering the beauty of a tree and the
maintenance it requires before purchasing and planting, it’s a good idea to think about the pollen it may
produce. Grandpa may have been even smarter than you realized when he planted a
large flowering dogwood tree in his front yard since it is known to be one of the flowering trees that cause less allergy problems.
And grandma may have had some remedies such as a neti pot, butterbur
and spirulina or local raw honey that made life easier, too.
Here are some links you may find useful about area weather,
area allergens, pollination and age old remedies:
Have a tree or photo of a tree in Webster County with some
history you’d like to share about? You’re invited to post it on our Facebook page.