Maple

moderate allergen

Acer

tree pollen

Maple trees are early-season pollinators, often among the first trees to bloom in late winter. While less allergenic than oak or birch individually, their early timing catches many people off guard. Box elder (Acer negundo) is actually a maple species and is the most allergenic of the group.

Grain Size

25-35 micrometres

Prevalence

Widespread across the eastern United States and southern Canada. Sugar maples, red maples, and silver maples are the most common species.

Allergy Severity

moderate

Bloom Period

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Bloom Peak

Cross-Reactivity

If you're allergic to maple pollen, you may also react to:

Other maple species
Box elder (which is a maple)

Practical Tips

Maple is an early pollinator — symptoms starting in February/March are often maple.
Box elder is the most allergenic maple. If you have box elders near your home, consider removal.
Maple pollen season is relatively short (4-6 weeks).