Montreal's summer snow is poplar seeds, not pollen
The white fluff floating through the city comes from female poplar trees, not allergens. But pollen levels are still higher than usual this season.
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That white fluff you've seen drifting through Montreal lately isn't pollen — it's seeds wrapped in wispy fibers that come from female poplar trees.
When male poplar flowers pollinate females, they produce seeds ready to germinate into some of North America's largest trees, explained Alain Paquette, a biology professor at UQAM. "There's a small baby tree in there ready to germinate," he said. The wind carries these seeds far and wide.
Unlike pollen, these seeds are harmless and won't trigger allergies. Pollen, by contrast, is microscopic and can lodge in your lungs, causing asthma and allergic reactions.
Montreal's pollen levels are running higher than usual right now, though not at crisis levels, according to Aerobiology Research Laboratories in Ottawa. The late start to spring compressed different pollen types — oak, birch, pine — into a shorter window, raising overall concentrations.
If you're dealing with pollen, Daniel Coates, director of Aerobiology Research Laboratories, recommends wearing sunglasses outside to keep it out of your eyes, and a mask if you're gardening. He also suggests keeping pets out of your bed, since they carry significant amounts of pollen in their fur. Levels are expected to tail off soon.