As Winter rolls around at Medicine Spirit Ranch, few things are as predictable as the onset of “Cedar Fever.” Many people in the Texas Hill Country react with an allergic response to what is called mountain cedar pollen but more properly referred to as Ashe Juniper pollen. While most trees pollinate in the Spring, Ashe Juniper pollinates in the winter, typically from December through February.
Like high quality high school football players and cattle, Texas has more mountain cedar than anywhere else in the U.S. and it is especially prominent throughout the central Texas area where we live. Following each cold front, gusts of wind cause the release of incredible amounts of pollen. When viewing a male mountain cedar in a heavy breeze, it is possible to witness a veritable cloud of pollen being released that looks much like an explosion of smoke. The pollen simply overwhelms the immunological systems of many individuals.
A cloud of pollen following a wind gust (photo by Andy Heatwole)
The sheer volume of pollen in the atmosphere due to the large numbers of Ashe junipers native to Texas is what causes Cedar Fever to be so prominent. See below the density of Ashe Junipers in Texas.
Ashe Junipers are most dense in Central Texas
What are the Symptoms of Cedar Fever?
Stuffy Nose
Itchy and Water Eyes
Runny nose
Sneezing
Low Fever
Partial loss of smell or taste
Fatigue
Given that cedar fever occurs at the same time as flu and cold season, it is often confused for these other maladies. Cedar fever can be especially bothersome in persons suffering asthma or other respiratory illnesses. Although usually more of a nuisance, I’ve known friends who had to relocate to other parts of the country or else travel extensively during cedar fever season and escape central Texas during the riskiest months. Strangely, some people are barely affected while others suffer immeasurably. Whether this is due to genetic predisposition or other reasons is not well understood.
Fortunately, treatment consists largely of over the counter antihistamines and decongestants. In my experience allergy shots or major lifestyle changes are less common. Although I’ve known people who require face masks when outside, must wash their clothes when coming indoors, and change their air conditioning filters in their homes and cars frequently in order to manage their symptoms.
I am also reminded of Cedar Fever at this time of year because in order to limit the amount of juniper, we hand cut the sprouting Ashe juniper. This requires using loppers and cutting the stalk at ground level. Originally the land was bulldozed to clear most of the larger juniper trees. Since then a yearly round of the ranch, lopping off the juniper sprouts serves us well. This is hard work but each year less and less of the juniper return.
I likely fool myself into thinking that my efforts might actually reduce the cedar fever that my wife and neighbors suffer from. In any event, reducing the thick foliage that can occur with junipers allows for more grass to grow and that at least makes my cows happy.
Views From Medicine Spirit Ranch 