Spring begins as pollen dusts the Cape Fear

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Thursday marks the first day of spring, and pollen is already dusting homes, cars, and pets across the Cape Fear. 

We wanted to find out what’s already blooming and what is still yet to come.

Kevin Cassle with the New Hanover County Arboretum said the yellow pollen that you’re seeing dusting just about everything is mostly from longleaf pines—which are one of the most numerous tree species in the state.  

He said while that yellow pollen is usually the most noticeable, there are still other species of trees that have not yet bloomed.  

“Right now, the biggest thing blooming is the oaks and of course our pines, but we’re starting to come online with the junipers, the elms, and the maples,” he said. “So if all those tree pollens are what aggregate you, again, you’re going to want to be hoping for those sporadic rains but if your severe allergies break out, you’re going to want to stay indoors.” 

Cassle said the time where we’ll see the most tree pollen for the year will be around the first or second week of April.  

While it might not be a good time for allergies, it’s a great time to visit the arboretum—which Cassle said has more flowers blooming now than any other time of year.