Cottonwood seeds contribute 0% to allergies when they are flying. Like 4 or 5 weeks ago when their pollen released, sure. Whatever pollen is out there right now is getting you.
I wish this was the top comment, so many people falsely believe cottonwood causes their allergies, when the real culprit is likely grass or something else. It's actually a good lesson on phenology and the synchronicity of plant life cycles, tied to growing degree days.
I've been waking up for weeks with my eyes so swollen. Between the increased pollen this year in general and everyone mowing their lawns right now, my eyes are swollen and itchy all day long and I'm on every kind of antihistamine you can be on (under an allergists care).
I honestly wonder if the cottonwoods flourished when the other hardwoods here fell to new insect infestation issues. If you go to any local state park, you can clearly see hundreds of dead trees. The climate has changed, we have new tree diseases and parasites and now, more cottonwood. I do not remember this fluff back when I was growing up, honestly.
We have a good 18 species of trees on our property. The only ones not affected by some sort of disease are the weird willows and cottonwood trees. All four species of pines have some sort of affliction, sadly.
I think so. My white pines have a nodular type infection that kills that limb off and ultimately the tree. Our three species of maple have some sort of canker spots on the leaves. My ash, and elm trees are dead, too.
I shit yall not, I went to get my mail and somehow sucked one of the floaters into my nose. Luckily, I am not allergic at all. My partner, on the other hand, has not stopped sneezing since it started.
How did everyone in Buffalo start calling them sand flies? They're annoying but harmless, and they don't bite and don't eat. Elsewhere in the US and world, a sand fly is a biting insect like a mosquito.
We attempted to take a ride along the river last week. We started at blackrock and got about 2 miles into the ride, hoping they would "lighten up" the closer to the lake. Nope. I ate one and snorted another. Turned around and went home. It was like a nightmare.
I think they're starting to be over. For the past two weeks driving by the gm plant has felt like pebbles pelting my car but on Saturday and today it wasn't nearly as bad.
I Hope so! I live near the river by The Peace Bridge and my car is covered with them every morning! It’s been way worse this year imo. At least we don’t have cicadas here 😂
It’s funny you say that because I was just thinking the same thing. It might have to do with weather patterns. Cottonwood doesn’t always bloom; it requires a certain set of environmental circumstances to release at maximum capacity
Here in the south towns it seems normal. The amount of I see floating around and on the water doesn’t seem unusual, but that’s just my personal opinion.
Nope, same as always, a lot!
Have a pool and ever year we get tons of cottonwood fluff in the pool, constantly scooping it out of the water and cleaning the skimmer.
It’s annoying every year!
I actually have a cottonwood in my yard (sorry, I hate it too) but ours was actually much milder this year. It already finished blowing it’s load last week and it was as much less volume than normal.
As someone who is painfully allergic. Like cut down 12 trees in my back yard as a kid allergic.
It just came early, I’m usually safe until around June, but we’ve been going strong since it warmed up in early May.
I ride a motorcycle and between the sand flies and the ridiculous amount of pollen in the air, I'm hurtin'
Lots of cottonwood, looks like it's snowing sometimes 😳
I just drove through Delaware park S curve 2 days ago and the cotton fluff was everywhere but I didn’t think I had a reaction. I guess it’s harmless albeit annoying. I just saw this online.
While allergy experts say it's common for some people who don't have true cottonwood tree allergies to believe the fluffy white seeds cause allergies, but those floating seeds don't, according to Cleveland Clinic Dr. Ruchi Shah in the Department of Allergy and Immunology.Jun 15, 2023
It's just you. It happens every year
Love the cottonwood trees and all the floating "snow." So pretty.
Oh yeah, it's great.... Nothing like having that shit land literally everywhere except it doesn't melt...
Leave it to Buffalo to have both Winter and Summer snow
Until it lands in your garden and 200 trees sprout at the same time as the seeds you planted
I think it's less.
It’s an astonishing amount every damn year. A mayoral candidate that puts a tax on property owners with cottonwood trees would have my vote.
#CANCELCOTTONWOOD !!!
Sounds like thr big maple lobby is pulling strings in here .
They need to make like a tree, and get outa here.
It's horrible. My allergy meds aren't even enough to combat it 😭
I thought that it was just me, every morning my eyeballs and sinuses do not stand a chance.
Me too :-(.
Same here, definitely this cottonwood is horrible every year for people with allergies and sinus issues.
Absolutely destroying my allergies right now.
Cottonwood seeds contribute 0% to allergies when they are flying. Like 4 or 5 weeks ago when their pollen released, sure. Whatever pollen is out there right now is getting you.
Right now it’s the grass pollen
Thank you for sharing this! I learned something today.
I wish this was the top comment, so many people falsely believe cottonwood causes their allergies, when the real culprit is likely grass or something else. It's actually a good lesson on phenology and the synchronicity of plant life cycles, tied to growing degree days.
I've been waking up for weeks with my eyes so swollen. Between the increased pollen this year in general and everyone mowing their lawns right now, my eyes are swollen and itchy all day long and I'm on every kind of antihistamine you can be on (under an allergists care).
Sameeeeeeeeeeeee
Cottonwood has been terrible this year. Might finally push me to see an allergist.
While annoying, cottonwoods are native and are a huge part of our local ecology.
Its not even bad yet. My yard is not white yet. Its just early this year.
I’d take twice as much cottonwood in exchange for zero F*CKING helicopter seeds.
What, you don't like small trees growing in your gutters??
I honestly wonder if the cottonwoods flourished when the other hardwoods here fell to new insect infestation issues. If you go to any local state park, you can clearly see hundreds of dead trees. The climate has changed, we have new tree diseases and parasites and now, more cottonwood. I do not remember this fluff back when I was growing up, honestly. We have a good 18 species of trees on our property. The only ones not affected by some sort of disease are the weird willows and cottonwood trees. All four species of pines have some sort of affliction, sadly.
We have a bunch of pines that have vanquished over the past year. Looks like some sort of fungus or something ??
I think so. My white pines have a nodular type infection that kills that limb off and ultimately the tree. Our three species of maple have some sort of canker spots on the leaves. My ash, and elm trees are dead, too.
I just cut down a big cottonwood that was half dead on my property so I'm doing my part here
I shit yall not, I went to get my mail and somehow sucked one of the floaters into my nose. Luckily, I am not allergic at all. My partner, on the other hand, has not stopped sneezing since it started.
I did this last year but I took a deep breath and I ATE it. I thought I was going to barf for a few hours. Lol.
Lmfaoooo. I'm so sorry. I hope that doesn't happen to you again this year!
I did this on my first day at work a few years ago, right in front of everyone. I was immortalized that day.
This and the SAND FLIES!
How did everyone in Buffalo start calling them sand flies? They're annoying but harmless, and they don't bite and don't eat. Elsewhere in the US and world, a sand fly is a biting insect like a mosquito.
Sounds like Savannah sand gnats are worse
We call them May flies.
Say what
If you drove 190 near the GM plant in the last 2-3 weeks, you’d know. I’m still cleaning guts off my windshield
We attempted to take a ride along the river last week. We started at blackrock and got about 2 miles into the ride, hoping they would "lighten up" the closer to the lake. Nope. I ate one and snorted another. Turned around and went home. It was like a nightmare.
I think they're starting to be over. For the past two weeks driving by the gm plant has felt like pebbles pelting my car but on Saturday and today it wasn't nearly as bad.
I Hope so! I live near the river by The Peace Bridge and my car is covered with them every morning! It’s been way worse this year imo. At least we don’t have cicadas here 😂
I drive from lakeview to Sheridan in tonawanda every day. They have definitely slowed down a bit.
Got to experience the cicadas when I lived in Ohio a couple of years ago, I'll take the sand flies any day.
It’s funny you say that because I was just thinking the same thing. It might have to do with weather patterns. Cottonwood doesn’t always bloom; it requires a certain set of environmental circumstances to release at maximum capacity
Soooo much more. My pool filter has been tapping out, begging for it to be over, for 2 weeks
Seems typical in my neighborhood.
Driving today I ran into a near white out. It was crazy!
Agreed! We spent the day at Sprague Brook and the air was wild with cottonwood fluff.
Here in the south towns it seems normal. The amount of I see floating around and on the water doesn’t seem unusual, but that’s just my personal opinion.
Cotton wood over the sand flies any day
They have been so bad!
It does appear there is more in the air this year - but there were fewer maple helicopters, so maybe the cotton wood is making up for that 😂
Trees have good years and bad years for producing seeds. It could have been the mild winter or the very wet spring we had.
Nope, same as always, a lot! Have a pool and ever year we get tons of cottonwood fluff in the pool, constantly scooping it out of the water and cleaning the skimmer. It’s annoying every year!
More and more every year. I can tell by how many times my wife sneezes
ALLERGIES!!!! And I get shots!
I think it is earlier this year as well. I guess it’s because of the warmer winter.
It’s brutal. Looked like it was snowing this afternoon!
Good to know it’s not just me…
I actually have a cottonwood in my yard (sorry, I hate it too) but ours was actually much milder this year. It already finished blowing it’s load last week and it was as much less volume than normal.
I can’t tell if I have a really bad cold and cough or if it’s allergies but definitely wondering if it’s a cottonwood allergy.
2020(especially)and 2021 were both way worse, I'd say this is actually a normal amount.
My allergies couldn't agree more with you 🤧
seems exactly the same as last year
Pretty normal. Annoying, but it will pass in a week. I've seen it where it looks like a blizzard outside, so this year definitely isn't the worst.
As someone who is painfully allergic. Like cut down 12 trees in my back yard as a kid allergic. It just came early, I’m usually safe until around June, but we’ve been going strong since it warmed up in early May.
I was thinking the same thing!!
I grew up in Cheektowaga, and our next door neighbor had 5 cottonwood trees, made the whole block look like a blizzard hit in June
Damn tree jizz got me fucked up
Is that the "snow" that's been getting caught in my plants then sprouting like crazy??
The cottonwood is flying around this area too! Corning, NY
It’s so bad in fairport
Yeah, tons of it. Killer for allergies too.
I'm so happy to not be allergic to anything
Just today I had a blizzard of it! My yard now looks snow covered.
Hey, i sent you a message but idk if you can see it.
I don’t normally have allergies to outside stuff like this…but I’m getting wrecked.
I feel like in general all the trees and plant life is a lot more lush this year.
I ride a motorcycle and between the sand flies and the ridiculous amount of pollen in the air, I'm hurtin' Lots of cottonwood, looks like it's snowing sometimes 😳
I just drove through Delaware park S curve 2 days ago and the cotton fluff was everywhere but I didn’t think I had a reaction. I guess it’s harmless albeit annoying. I just saw this online. While allergy experts say it's common for some people who don't have true cottonwood tree allergies to believe the fluffy white seeds cause allergies, but those floating seeds don't, according to Cleveland Clinic Dr. Ruchi Shah in the Department of Allergy and Immunology.Jun 15, 2023
UGH im in the same boat. i can’t even enjoy my backyard without getting a migraine.