WELCOME TO THE MOUNTAIN CEDAR
POLLEN FORECAST PAGE
The University of Tulsa
Aerobiology Lab
Mountain cedar or Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) pollen is one of the most potent allergens in the United States. Populations of mountain cedar (also called ashe juniper) occur in south central Oklahoma and Texas (Distribution map). Although none occur within 200 miles of Tulsa, my lab has presented evidence for significant concentrations of mountain cedar pollen being carried to Tulsa by prevailing southerly winds. Research in my lab has also focused on the identification of the specific allergenic proteins in mountain cedar pollen and related species of conifers.
In addition to being very allergenic mountain cedar pollen is also unique due to the time of pollen release. Pollination occurs during December and January often with the peak occurring the last week of December. The pollen is responsible for a mid-winter hay fever problem that is called "cedar fever" in central Texas. Plants produce abundant pollen that is easily dispersed by wind as the photo below shows.
Mountain cedar trees in the Arbuckle Mts. of south-central Oklahoma releasing
pollen.
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Questions: E-mail to the Aerobiology Lab at The University of Tulsa: pollen@utulsa.edu
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