PLEASE NOTE THE REPORT FOR 22 AUGUST 2025 IS DELAYED AS MOST OF THE AEROBIOLOGISTS
HAVE BEEN ATTENDING THE NATIONAL ALLERGY CONFERENCE 20-22 AUGUST.
Summary
The increase in tree pollen continues at some inland sites (Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Vanderbijlpark south of Johannesburg), where the dominant tree is the winter flowering cypress. Coastal sites had low pollen concentrations.
Cape Town
Trees were low and included cypress (Cupressaceae) and mulberry (Moraceae). No weed pollen was seen. Moulds were low.
Johannesburg Central
The tree season continues to increase at this site with the winter flowering cypress (Cupressaceae) as the dominant pollen. Other trees contributing to the high concentrations are acacia (Acacia-type), bushwillow (Combretaceae), plane (Platanaceae), oak (Quercus), white stinkwood (Celtis), ash (Fraxinus, gum (Myrtaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), poplar (Populaceae) and karee (Searsia). Plane tree pollen is increasing. Weeds were lily (Liliaceae) and grasses and moulds were low.
Johannesburg South
Grass pollen concentrations were low. Trees included birch (Betulus), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), ash (Fraxinus), pine (Pinaceae) and oak (Quercus). Weeds were low counts of the daisy family (Asteraceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds were low.
Pretoria
The aerobiologist at this site is in the field so 5-year averages are shown. Trees would be increasing and would include cypress (Cupressaceae), plane (Platanaceae), birch (Betulaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), karee (Searsia), pine (Pinaceae), oak (Quercus), ash (Fraxinus) and mulberry (Moraceae). Weeds would be low and might be slangbos (Stoebe-type), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), erica (Ericaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae) goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Grasses and moulds would be low.
Bloemfontein
Grasses were low, trees were significant, largely due to the contribution of cypress (Cupressaceae), the winter flowering tree. Other trees include false olive (Buddleia), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), poplar (Populaceae), oak (Quercus) and karee (Searsia). The only weeds detected were sedges (Cyperaceae) and moulds were low.
Kimberley
Pollen concentrations were low. Trees included birch (Betulus), mulberry (Moraceae), olive (Oleaceae) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were erica (Ericaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and figworts (Scrophulariaceae). Moulds were low.
Durban
Low grass, tree and weed pollen concentrations were seen. Trees included cypress (Cupressaceae), beech (Fagus), mulberry (Moraceae) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were knotweed (Persicaria) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were low.
Gqeberha
Pollen in the categories of trees, grasses and weeds was low. No tree pollen was detected and weed pollen included the daisy family (Asteraceae) only. Moulds were low.
George
Pollen concentrations were low. Trees detected were acacia (Acacia-type) and cypress (Cupressaceae). No weed or grass pollen was seen and moulds were low.
Reference Range
Grass: Low: 0-5 Moderate: 6-20 High: 21-200
Trees: Low: 0-15 Moderate: 16-90 High: 91-1500
Weeds: Low: 0-10 Moderate: 10-50 High: 51-500
Moulds: Low: 0-900 Moderate: 900-2500 High 2500-25000
Unit: per cubic metre