Weekly Report

25 July 2025

City
Overall Risk
Tree Pollen
Grass Pollen
Weed Pollen
Mould Spores

Summary

The tree pollen season has begun in Johannesburg, where high tree concentrations were seen. The dominant tree is the allergenic cypress in Johannesburg and cypress pollen was seen at every other site.

Cape Town

Low tree, grass and weed pollen concentrations were detected at this site. Tree pollen included sumac (Anacardiaceae) and cypress (Cupressaceae). Weeds were erica (Ericaceae) and sorrel (Rumex). Moulds were low.

Johannesburg

Trees have begun their pollen release season. Cypress (Cupressaceae) was overwhelmingly dominant with high concentrations. Lower scores were seen for bushwillow (Combretaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), plane (Platanaceae), pine (Pinaceae), beech (Fagus sylvatica), mulberry (Moraceae), poplar (Populaceae), karee (Searsia) and elm (Ulmaceae). The only weed pollen detected was lily (Liliaceae) and moulds were low.

Johannesburg South

There are no findings for this site this week.

Pretoria

The courier failed again so mean counts are given. Trees releasing pollen at this time of the year include cypress (Cupressaceae). Pine (Pinaceae), karee (Searsia), birch (Betulus), plane (Platanaceae) and oak (Quercus). Weeds would be the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), ericas (Ericaceae), rushes (Juncus) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds are low.

Bloemfontein

Trees are starting their pollen release cycle at this sampling site, and cypress is increasing strongly but remains below the significant threshold. Trees included sumac (Anacardiaceae), birch (Betulus), white stinkwood (Celtis), cypress (Cupressaceae), olive (Oleaceae)and karee (Searsia). Weeds were absent, and moulds were very low.

Kimberley

Low concentrations of pollen were detected at this sampling site. Trees were sumac (Anacardiaceae), white stinkwood (Celtis), cypress (Cupressaceae) and olive (Oleaceae). No weed pollen was seen, and moulds were low.

Durban

Grasses were low. Tree pollen concentrations were low and included cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), the monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria angustifolia) and yellowwood (Podocarpaceae). Weeds were nettle (Urticaceae), protea (Proteaceae) and bulrush (Typhaceae). Moulds were low.

Gqeberha

Pollen concentrations were all low at this site. Trees included Australian pine (Casuarina), cypress (Cupressaceae), cedar (Cedrus), waxberry (Morella) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), blacktips (Bruniaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and erica (Ericaceae). Moulds were low.

George

The courier did not deliver, so the equivalent week for 2024 is shown. Trees included bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and erica (Ericaceae), and moulds were very 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