Comment by Izquierdo on April 7, 2008 at 4:05pm

I hate to see our trees taking it in the trunks like this. I sympathize with sufferers but I am not convinced the mulberry is anywhere near the culprit that the native one-seed juniper is (go out and shake one some day) and we abide them. Mulberries range around the world and across the United States and the seeds are viable after being dropped by birds along fence rows. I get three or four new ones in my yard every year, which I usually dig up and sell at garage sales (I live outside the city limits). And the fruits are truly delicious. Trees in general are the best thing extant for climate control in the concrete jungles of the Albuquerque Heights. Without them the temperature would be multiple degrees higher, and the swamp coolers would have to work even harder, siphoning off more water. I guess the folks who lecture us on allegies know what they are doing, but the non-native weeds seem to be more of an allergy hazard to me -- not only unsightly but loaded with allergens. I'd advise clearing out the weeds before cutting down the trees.

Comment by bg on April 7, 2008 at 8:19pm

Mulberry is the devil pollen. Watch out when this one gets to 9,000. Like if you think 140 means anything. I would be dead w/o drugs.

Comment by hettie on April 7, 2008 at 9:45pm

the irony is that when it comes to trees, we (by which I mean, people who seek to improve our outdoors via landscaping) tend to prefer the males of species, because they often create less organic waste through dropped fruit and seeds. however, we increase the pollen in the air exponentially with that choice. the mulberry is a great example. the fruit of the female trees is a huge mess when it drops, leaving purple stains on cars, patios, etc., as well as being tracked indoors to stain your floors. the male doesn't leave that purple fruit, but it's a huge pollen producer. allergy rates are on the rise, but we haven't reached the point where a lot of people (landscape architects, designers, city planners, home gardners, etc.) consider the pollen potential of what they're planting.

Comment by Dr Dan on April 7, 2008 at 10:20pm

ah-choo

Comment by Robert S. on April 8, 2008 at 3:44am

good news about the Pollen count is you can sign up for a city email list and have the counts delivered to your mailbox on weekdays!

I like knowing what's making me sneeze and have itcy eyes each day...

Comment by hbl on April 8, 2008 at 1:13pm

I didn't have allergies until I moved to NM 10 years ago! I am certain that Juniper and Chamisa are the evil culprits. I HAD a mulberry tree in upstate NY and had no allergic reaction to it.

All I know is my allergies make me cranky in spring and during the fall. If it weren't for a host of drugs I'd claw my eyes out:) On the postive side, I do like the city's Pollen Count e-mail. Thanks for the tip!

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