Predominant Pollen and Spores

Alder season is highly affected by weather. The main pollen season can start from late March to mid-April and end mid to late June. Mostly low and moderate, with the occasional high, counts are observed. They are important allergens and at these levels could cause allergic reactions.

Ash pollen season lasts well over a month. The seasons vary from year to year with most years only low and moderate counts observed. Some years high counts are possible. The season can start from early to late May and ends late May to mid-June. The season start and amount of pollen produced is very dependant on weather.

Beech season can vary a great deal from year to year due to cyclical patterns and the effect of weather. Low counts are generally observed but moderate counts are possible in certain years. The season can start from the second to the third week of May and end from the third week of May to mid-June.

Birch can reach very high counts and the season can start from mid-April to early May and can end from the first week to the third week of June.

Cedars, junipers, and yews produce low to moderate counts, with the occasional high count, throughout the pollen season. The season can vary a great deal and can start from late March to mid-April and end from early to mid-June.

Elm season can vary in Halifax depending on where the sampling site is located. There is a season that can occur late May to early June with the Chinese elm but this is very site dependant. The main season for the elm can start from mid-April to early May and end early to mid-May. Low to high counts can be observed depending on sampling location and the weather.

Low and moderate counts are observed for grasses with the highest counts occurring from early June to late July.The season can start from mid-May to early June and end late September to early October.

Hemlocks usually only produce low counts but some years moderate counts can occur. The season varies a great deal from year to year due to the effect of weather and cyclical patterns. The season can start from mid-May to early June and end late May to mid-June.

Maple season can start from early to late April and end the third week of May to mid-June. Mostly low and moderate counts are observed with the occasional high obtained.

The counts for nettles are always low but they are important allergens due to their small size. The season can start from early to mid-July and end early to mid-September.

Oak season can start from the third week of April to the second week of May and end from the first to the third week of June. High counts are observed and some species are known to cause allergic reactions.

Pine, spruces and firs season can start from the third week of April to the third week of May and end early lo late July. Very high counts are observed at this site. Significant allergens for individuals who are sensitized.

Plantains produce only low counts. The season can start from the third week of June to early July and end from the first to the third week of September. May cause allergic reactions in individuals who are highly sensitized.

Poplar and aspen can have a low early season in March. The main season can start from the first to the third week of April and end early to late May. Mostly low and moderate counts are observed.

Ragweed counts are always low at this site but may be high enough to cause allergic reaction to individuals who are highly sensitized. The season can begin late July to early August and end late September. Ragweed population varies a great deal throughout this Province.

Moderate counts of alternaria are observed in August and September. May play a significant role in allergies in highly sensitized individuals.

Aspergillus is found throughout the counting season but the highest counts are from July to well into late fall.

Very high counts of boletus are observed. Season is from August to late October.

Moderate and high of counts of botrytis are observed from late May to mid-October. Could play a significant role in causing allergic reactions.

Cladosporium is the most prominent spore for the whole season. The highest counts occur from late March to late fall. Could cause allergic reactions in sensitized individuals.

The counts for coprinus are significant but not as high as ganoderma or cladosporium. The season is from August and well into October. Considered an important allergen.

Diatrypaceae counts fluctuate throughout the whole counting season. The counts are particularly high in the spring and fall. Season continues well into October. They are not known to cause allergic reactions.

Epicoccum does not reach really high numbers but may cause reactions in highly sensitized individuals. The main season is from approximately mid-June to late September.

Erysiphe, also know as powdery mildew, occurs from July and well into October.

Very sporadic counts of fusarium are observed throughout the whole counting season. The season is from the end of March to mid-October.

Very high counts of ganoderma are observed. The main season is mid-June to well into October. Considered an important allergen.

Sporadic counts of helicomyces are found throughout the whole season but the highest counts are observed from the end of May to the end of September.

Penicillium is found throughout the counting season but the highest counts are from July to well into late fall.

Uredinales or rusts are not found in very high numbers. The season is August to mid-October.

Ustilaginales also know as smuts occur mostly from June to mid-October.