As much as we are enjoying this spring in Greensboro, we must acknowledge that pollen levels are high right now. People who don't usually have issues with pollen have reported being affected. As you can see here on pollen.com, the forecast for the weekend is high. According to WCNC Meterologist Brad Panovich, pole counts have reached record highs. The warm weather that came on fast and furiously has caused many plants to bloom and to emit pollen all at once. If is a symphony of pollen, of sorts.
The long leaf pine is native to North Carolina and is also known as the southern pine. According to NC State Extension, it yields many useful products: tar, pitch, pine straw (for ground coverage), resin, turpentine, and lumber. It is strong and durable. It has the longest needles of all conifers in this area. We think the above is a longleaf pine. If it is not, please correct us. Cones fall in the late fall. We'll head back to this stand of trees in northwest Greensboro and see if the large cones are dropping. At any rate after the next week or two, pollen rates should taper off. Check here for the bloom calendar for the area. Let us all remember that, in order to reproduce, pollen is necessary for flowering plants and plants with pine cones. If you are looking for a useful tree to plant this year, consider the longleaf pine!
Happy Thursday!
A terrific close up shot.
Posted by: William Kendall | Thursday, April 04, 2024 at 07:42 PM