Hamilton, Ontario

Predominant Pollen and Spores

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.

Get our new app for accurate pollen and spore forecasts for Hamilton.

Predominant Pollen for Hamilton, Ontario

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 can start from early March to early April and end late May to mid-June. There are fluctuations in the counts from low to moderate (Some years an occasional high count is possible). The season is highly affected by weather. At these levels they can cause allergic reactions in individuals who are highly sensitized.

Ash (Fraxinus sp.)

Ash pollen season lasts well over four weeks. The season can start from about mid to late April and end late May. Some low to high counts are observed and they are considered to be allergenic only in highly sensitized individuals.

Beech (Fagus sp.)

Beech season varies a great deal from year to year. Some years the season lasts well over month, while other years hardly any counts are observed. This is partly due to weather, but also caused by the natural cycles for these trees. The counts are mostly low with the occasional moderate count possible in some years.

The season can start the third week of April to the first week of May and end mid to late May. May cause allergic reactions in individuals who are highly sensitized.

Birch (Betula sp.)

Birch season can start from the second to the last week of April and end late May to early June with counts ranging from low to high. The counts do get very high and they are considered important allergens.

Cedars, Junipers and Yew (Cupressaceae family)

Cedars, junipers, and yews produce low to high counts and the season varies a great deal from year to year. The season can occur from late February to late June. The counts do get very high. Most species in Canada are not considered allergenic.

Chestnuts (Castenea sp.)

The season for the chestnuts can start mid to late May and end mid to late June. Mostly low with the occasional moderate counts are observed.

Elm (Ulmus sp.)

Elms are considered important allergens. The season can start from early to mid-Marh and ends around early May. The whole season can last almost two months. Some high counts are observed.

Grasses (Gramineae family)

Grass season can start as early as late April and end early October. Low to high counts are observed from the end of May to late July.

Hemlock (Tsuga sp.)

Hemlocks have very different seasons from year to year. This is due to weather and probably natural cycles. The season usually only produces low counts but moderate counts are possible. The season can start early to mid-May and ends late May to mid-June.

Hickory (Carya sp.)

Hickories have a short early season, lasting approximately one week from late April to early May. The main season can last almost a month and can start from mid to late May and end mid to late June. Most of the counts are low but some years an occational moderate count is possible.

Linden, Basswood, Lime Trees (Tilia sp.)

The linden and basswood season can start mid-June to early July and end mid to late July. Most years the counts are in the low range, but an occational moderate count can occur. They may not be of any significance at these levels.

Maple and Box Elder (Acer sp.)

Maple season can start from early to the third week of March and end between mid to late May. Moderate and high counts are observed. Certain species are known to cause allergic reactions.

Mulberry (Morus sp.)

Mulberries produce very high counts at this site due to the number of species present. The pollen season can last approximately two months. The season starts from mid to late April and ends early to mid-June. Can be a significant allergen for those individuals who are sensitized.

Nettles (Urticaceae sp.)

Nettles and parietaria pollinate from June to late September and low to moderate counts are observed from mid-July to late August. They are considered important allergens due to their small size.

Oak (Quercus sp.)

Oaks have several flowering periods due to the number of species present. The season can start the second to last week of April and ends the first to second week of June. Some of the counts are very high. The season is affected by weather as to when it starts and the amount of pollen released. Some of the species are considered allergenic.

Pine, fir and spruce (Pinaceae family)

Some high counts are observed for spruce, fir and pine trees and the occurrence of the pollen season can vary from year to year. The season can start from the second week of April to the first week of May and can end early to mid-July. Significant allergens for individuals who are sensitized.

Plantains (Plantago sp.)

Plantains pollinate from June to early October. The counts are generally in the low range and occasionally moderate. They may cause allergic reactions in highly sensitized individuals.

Poplar, cottonwood and aspen (Populus sp.)

Poplar, cottonwood and aspen season can start from late March to early April and end the second to third week of May. The season can last almost six weeks and high counts are observed. At these levels they can cause allergic reactions.

Ragweed (Ambrosia sp.)

Ragweed pollen is observed from late July to late October. Moderate to high counts are obtained in August and September.

Walnut (Juglans sp.)

Walnuts are considered important in causing allergic reactions. The pollen season can start early May to mid-May and can end the third week of June. The counts can get very high at this site.

Willow (Salix sp.)

Willow pollen season lasts for more than one month and can start from early to mid April and end mid to late May. The counts are usually low to moderate, but occationally a high count is observed. They are considered to be allergenic only in highly sensitized individuals.

Predominant Fungal Spores (Mold) for Hamilton, Ontario

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.

Some high counts of alternaria are observed and certain species are known to cause allergic reactions. The season is from mid-April to the end of October with the highest counts occuring from June to October.

Aspergillus sp.

Aspergillus spores are found throughout the whole counting season and are probably present in significant numbers beyond that. The highest counts are observed from June to well into October.

Boletus sp.

Counts for Boletus mushroom do get high and may be significant in causing allergic reactions. The season is July to mid-October.counts for

Cladosporium sp.

Cladosporium is the most abundant spore found throughout the whole season. This spore exists all year round but the highest counts occur from May to late October. Some species are known to cause allergic reactions.

Coprinus sp.

Coprinus mushroom can produce some very high counts from May to late October. It is considered an important allergen.

Diatrypaceae sp.

Diatrypaceae counts are sporadic throughout the whole counting season. High counts can be observed from March to well into October. They are not known to cause allergic reactions.

Epicoccum sp.

Some species of epicoccum are known to cause allergic reactions. The season is from May to late October with some low to high counts.

Erysiphe (Oospora) sp.

Erysiphe, also known as powdery mildew, season is from April to mid-October. Low to high counts are observed. Allergenic properties are not well understood.

Fusarium sp.

Fusarium counts are sporadic throughout the whole counting season. The majority of the highest counts are observed from May to late September.

Ganoderma sp.

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

Helicomyces sp.

Helicomyces season is from April to mid-September producing moderate and very high counts. The season is very sporadic.

Leptosphaeria sp.

Leptosphaeria season is May to early October with fluctuations in counts from day to day which is probably due to the effect of weather. Highest counts are observed from May to the end of September.

Myxomycetes

Few moderate counts of myxomycetes are observed from June to late September.

Penicillium sp.

Penicillium spores are found throughout the whole counting season and are probably present in significant numbers beyond that. The highest counts are observed from June to well into October.

Pithomyces sp.

Few moderate counts of pithomyces are observed late July to early October.

Polythrincium sp.

Moderate counts of polythrincium are observed from mid-August to the end of September.

Torula sp.

Moderate counts are observed for torula from July to September.

Uredinales sp.

Uredinales or rusts do not occur in really high numbers and allergenic properties are not well understood. The season is from June to late October.

Ustilaginales sp.

Ustilaginales also know as smuts can reach high counts, and their allergenicity is unknown. The season is from May to late October. Very high counts are observed in September and October.

Return to city information page for Hamilton, Ontario