Predominant Pollen and Spores

Edmonton, Alberta

Tree pollen and spore seasons fluctuate from year to year by as much as two to four weeks at this site due to the effect of weather. The pollen and spore seasons described here are generalizations as to when pollination/sporulation occurs.

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Predominant Pollen for Edmonton, Alberta

Tree pollen seasons fluctuate from year to year by as much as two to four weeks at this site due to the effect of weather. The pollen seasons described here are generalizations as to when pollination occurs.

Alder (Alnus sp.)

Alder season produces significant counts from the end of March to late June. The season starts from late March to mid-April and ends mid to late June. The counts fluctuate from low to high due to the number of species present and the effect of weather. The alder are considered important allergens.

Ash (Fraxinus sp.)

Ash pollen season usually lasts approximately two weeks and can begin from late April to the third week of May and end from mid-May to early June. Some moderate and low counts are observed. Considered to be allergenic only in highly sensitized individuals.

Birch (Betula sp.)

Birch season can start from late April to mid-May and end late May to mid-June with some very high counts observed. The season for birch varies from year to year due to the effect of weather. They are considered important allergens.

Cedars, Junipers and Yew (Cupressaceae family)

Cedars, junipers, and yews produce some counts from April to early July. The counts are usually low so they are probably of no significance in causing allergic reactions.

Elm (Ulmus sp.)

Elm are important allergens. Very little pollen is collected where the sampler is located. The season can start from the second week of April to mid-May. The season can end late April to late May. The season can last from one to two weeks depending on the year.

Grasses (Gramineae family)

Grasses produce significant counts, mostly in the moderate range with a few high counts. The season can start mid to late june and end early October.

Hazel (Corylus sp.)

Hazelnut season can occur from early April to mid-May, depending on winter and spring conditions. The counts are in the low range and may not cause allergic reactions at these levels.

Maple (Acer sp.)

Maple season varies from year to year largely due to the effect of weather. The season can occur from the end of April to the end of May with some moderate counts.

Mugwort (Artemisia sp.)

Mugwort season is from mid-July to late September with some moderate counts observed.

Nettles (Urticaceae sp.)

Nettles and parietaria occur in significant numbers that may cause allergic reactions. The season can start from mid-June to early July and end late August and the counts are generally in the low to moderate range. They are considered important allergens due to their samll size.

Oak (Quercus sp.)

Oaks flower for a short period during the month of May. Only low counts are observed. May be of significance to those who are highly sensitized.

Pine, fir and spruce (Pinaceae family)

Very high counts are observed for spruce, fir and pine trees. The pollen season can start from early May to late May and end mid-July to early August. The start and end of the season can vary by four weeks from year to year due to the effect of weather. This group is very important to those who are sensitized.

Poplar, cottonwood and aspen (Populus sp.)

Poplar, cottonwood and aspen season can start from late March to late April and end mid-May to early June. Some of the counts are very high and may cause allergic reactions.

Ragweed (Ambrosia sp.)

Ragweed season is from mid-August to early September with only sporadic low counts observed.

Sagebrush (Artemisia sp.)

Sagebrush season is from mid-July to late September with some moderate counts observed.

Willow (Salix sp.)

Willow season can start from mid-April to early May and end third week of May to mid-June. The season can last almost two months. There is some variation in the season from year to year due to weather and mostly moderate and low counts are observed with the rare high count.

Predominant Spores for Edmonton, Alberta

Spore seasons fluctuate from year to year by as much as two to four weeks at this site due to the effect of weather. Spores described here are generalizations as to when sporulation occurs.

Alternaria sp.

Alternaria counts do get high and some species are known to cause allergic reactions. The season is from May to mid-October.

Aspergillus sp.

Aspergillus spores are found throughout the whole counting season and are probably present in significant numbers beyond that. High counts are observed from March to late fall.

Boletus sp.

Boletus season is sporadic with some very high counts observed. It may be of significance in causing allergic reactions. The season is mid-June to well into October.

Botrytis sp.

Botrytis may be a significant allergen, with mostly moderate counts. The season is June to the end of September.

Caloplaca sp.

The season is from mid-May to the end of September. The counts are sporadic and in the low to moderate range.

Cladosporium sp.

Cladosporium is the most abundant spore found throughout the whole season. This spore exists all year round but very high counts are known to occur from March to well into late fall.

Coprinus sp.

Coprinus mushroom produces moderate and high counts from May to mid-October. It is considered an important allergen.

Diatrypaceae sp.

The counts are sporadic for Diatrypaceae throughout the whole counting season. Very high counts can be observed from late March to mid-October. They are not known to cause allergic reactions.

Drechslera sp.

The counts are mostly in the low to moderate range. The significant counts occur from July to September. There are other related genera, which are also found in air samples, that can cause respiratory problems. One example is Bipolaris sp.

Epicoccum sp.

Some species of Epicoccum are known to cause allergic reactions. The season, with significant counts, is from mid-July to the end of September with moderate counts.

Erysiphe (Oospora) sp.

Erysiphe, also known as Powdery mildew, season runs from the end of April to the end of September. Mostly moderate, with some high counts observed.

Fusarium sp.

Fusarium counts are very sporadic throughout the whole counting season. The majority of the season occurs from May to mid-October with some high counts at this location. They are known to cause allergic reactions.

Ganoderma sp.

Ganoderma or bracket fungus can produce very high counts from June to well into October. It is considered an important allergen.

Helicomyces sp.

Helicomyces season is from mid-May to the end of September producing moderate and high counts. The season is very sporadic.

Leptosphaeria sp.

Leptosphaeria season is from May to mid-October. The counts vary from day to day, which is probably due to the effect of weather and the number of species present. Very high counts are observed from July to mid-October. They are known to cause allergic reactions.

Myxomycetes

Moderate counts are observed from mid-April to mid-October. Mostly low to moderate counts are observed.

Penicillium sp.

Penicillium spores are found throughout the whole counting season and are probably present in significant numbers beyond that. High counts are observed from March to late fall.

Polythrincium sp.

The majority of the season occurs in August with mostly moderate counts.

Uredinales sp.

Uredinales also know as rusts do occur in high numbers but not enough is known about their significance in causing allergic reactions at these levels. The season is from June to mid-October. The counts are mostly moderate with some in the high range.

Ustilaginales sp.

Allergenic properties of ustilaginales a.k.a smuts are unknown. The season is from May to mid-October with some very high counts from July to mid-October.

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