This spring, the streets and squares of Sabadell have been covered with a fine yellowish layer originating from plane trees. This phenomenon has led many residents to report itchy throats and eyes, a situation that intensifies with the breeze.
“"I can't leave the house without a mask. It's not Covid, it's the 'plane trees' that have been causing me very obvious discomfort for days."
Contrary to popular belief, what many identify as pollen is, in reality, the fruit of these trees that detaches during spring. According to the head of the Catalan Aerobiological Network (XAC) at ICTA-UAB, plane tree pollination ended days ago, and now would only affect highly allergic individuals. The current irritation comes from the fruits of the plane tree and poplar seeds, which scatter and accumulate easily.
“"The fluff gets into our building, and I come home every day with these particles in my hair."
Currently, Sabadell has 6,679 plane trees, accounting for 23% of its street trees. This number has decreased since 2019, when there were over 7,000 specimens. Most of these trees were planted between the 1960s and 1980s, a period when resilient and adaptable species for urban environments were sought, such as the plane tree, which provides dense shade and helps reduce temperatures.
The Sabadell City Council no longer plants this species extensively, opting for Mediterranean trees with lower allergenic potential. However, plane trees continue to be replaced in areas of historical or patrimonial value, such as the Rambla or Avinguda de Barberà, to maintain the characteristic image of these locations.
Despite initial forecasts of a spring with high pollen levels, intense heat and recent lack of rain have altered the prediction. Air pollen concentrations will be closer to a typical year, and plane tree pollination has already concluded. Nevertheless, allergic individuals might still experience discomfort until June.
