What are these white cotton like trees that are blooming all over seattle? (Sammamish: homes, allergies)

[annonymous0381]

For the past week I have seen these white cotton like particles in the air in seattle. My car got covered with these white cotton like flakes?? Can these cotton plants cause allergies??

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by annonymous0381

For the past week I have seen these white cotton like particles in the air in seattle. My car got covered with these white cotton like flakes?? Can these cotton plants cause allergies??

It’s cottonwood, this article and video is a few years old but still relevant. In short, it doesn’t really affect allergies. https://www.king5.com/amp/article/ne.../281-557522159

[rjshae]

The cotton seeds don't impact allergies, but the pollen certainly does.

Cottonwood tree Allergen Facts

[Hemlock140]

I was in Issaquah last week and it looked like it had snowed, the cottonwood seeds were an inch thick or more. Here in Sammamish we are just starting to get a few flying about.

[grega94]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

It’s cottonwood, this article and video is a few years old but still relevant. In short, it doesn’t really affect allergies. https://www.king5.com/amp/article/ne.../281-557522159

Specifically Populus trichocarpa (Black Cottonwood), it’s the largest poplar species in the world with the largest specimen found in Oregon at 155ft tall and 29 ft circumference, it’s also a very fast growing tree, growing about 4-6ft per year.

[Ruth4Truth]

When were cottonwoods planted in Seattle? I don't remember encountering that, when I lived there. Whose bright idea was that? There are cottonless cottonwoods, you know; a hybridized variety to avoid the issues all that cotton fallout causes.

[pnwguy2]

Seattle’s trees are variant and can change from year to year. But just be surprised and welcome them into your yard!

[rjshae]

Today's fun fact: a single cottonwood tree can release up to 25 million seeds.

I'm sure that makes them very poplar here.

...

Pun intended. ;-)

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

Seattle’s trees are variant and can change from year to year. But just be surprised and welcome them into your yard!

They just invite themselves into people's yards?! Is this another Leftie conspiracy?

[grega94]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

When were cottonwoods planted in Seattle? I don't remember encountering that, when I lived there. Whose bright idea was that? There are cottonless cottonwoods, you know; a hybridized variety to avoid the issues all that cotton fallout causes.

They are native here and grow like weeds, and considering their fast growth rate of an average of 5ft a year, a sapling that takes root in a neglected/abandoned lot will grow into a 20 ft tree within 4 years.