The Cupressaceae family of trees includes Juniper, Cedar, Redwood and Cypress. Juniper and cedar are common allergens in Western and Southwestern United States and both cross-react with each other, meaning if someone is allergic to one, she or he is allergic to both.
The Cupressaceae family of trees includes Juniper, Cedar, Redwood and Cypress. Juniper and cedar are common allergens in Western and Southwestern United States and both cross-react with each other, meaning if someone is allergic to one, she or he is allergic to both.
In Arizona and Texas, cedar is the major allergen from this family; hence the term “cedar fever,” which occurs during peak cedar pollen months in those areas. However, in Western Colorado, Juniper is the more problematic of the two. In fact, it is one of the top three tree pollens to cause spring allergy symptoms in this region.
Juniper is a wind-pollinated tree that grows at a variety of elevations and pollinates from early March through May in Western Colorado. In residential areas, smaller relatives of Juniper, called pfitzer bushes, arborvitae or various types of cedar, are commonly used for hedges or privacy barriers in lawns.
These shrubs pollinate in early March, about one month earlier than their higher elevation natural Juniper counterparts.
The higher elevation Junipers typically grow up to about 7,500 ft of elevation and common in areas like the National Monument, Uncompahgre Uplift and Grand Mesa. These trees erupt with huge amounts of pollen in early to mid April, which blows down into the valleys of the Western Slope.
The fact that Juniper and Juniper-like plants can grow at such a variety of elevations in Western Colorado makes Juniper pollen the longest lasting tree pollen in our region. Those who live above 8,000 ft, such as in Aspen and Gunnison get very little juniper (cedar) pollen.