The Five Most Common Trees in Texas

Among the ample vegetation in the grand state of Texas, there are five most common trees in Texas.

Without a doubt, the state of Texas is huge. And with a vast variety of plants and trees, there are five that you will find far more often than any others. Here are the five most common trees in texas:

Red Maple. The red maple tree, commonly found in the northeast, is extremely adaptable. It has the ability to grow and flourish in any climate. The distinctive red color gives it its name. The red maple produces maple syrup and is commonly used for lumber. It is a very beautiful tree. Because of its beauty, you will find it used in artwork very often.

Pecan Tree. The official state tree for Texas is the pecan tree. James Stephen Hogg, the governor of Texas in 1906, requested a pecan tree be planted over his grave. Once the tree yielded seeds, he also requested the seeds be planted all over the state. Because of this request, the pecan tree became one of the most common trees in Texas.

Live Oak. Among the largest and most beautiful, live oaks proved to be a domineering force that matched the personality of the state. Texas is actually responsible for coining the term "mott" which is defined as a group of live oaks.

Bald Cypress. Also referred to as southern cypress, white cypress and swamp cypress, the bald cypress is the most common name for this tree. The cypress is a deciduous type of tree. This means that it loses its leaves in the winter leaving it completely bare. East Texas is the most common place to find this tree because it thrives in moist and swampy conditions.

Mesquite. The mesquite tree is one of the most common trees in Texas, despite being an intruding and invasive type of tree. It is found all throughout the state of Texas. They are not very large by nature. However, they are very hardy and provide many different uses. Most commonly, it is used as fire fuel for barbecues and fire pits. Mesquite's wood when burned, provides smoke that adds a distinct and incredible flavor to food being cooked with it.

Although beautiful and mighty, these five most common trees found in texas can be the culprit to your seasonal allergies. Find out your Allergena zone here. Allergena offers sublingual products to help with your tree allergies in any zone you live

Tree Allergies

Tree allergies can trigger symptoms in unknowing allergy sufferers even when sitting around a campfire this summer.

If you’re sneezing, congested and dabbing your watery eyes in the spring and early summer, blame your trees. Maple, mulberry, and oak trees bloom during this time of year predominantly. Ash, elm, juniper and pine bloom and pollinate at the tail-end of winter and finish by early spring. Asthma-related allergies are common with tree pollen and can be severe in some people. But did you know that even burning the wood from the trees that you are allergic to can trigger these same allergies year-round?

You can suffer the symptoms of tree allergies from wood-burning fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, campfires, even wood dust in woodworking or hobby shops. Inhaled wood dust, in itself, can be hazardous to your health over time. But there are specific types of wood that can worsen allergy symptoms. There are also a few that are toxic. Burning wood, or creating wood dust, releases pollen into the air causing an allergic reaction. This can be a major irritant for people sensitive to smoke. Mixing smoke with released airborne pollen can cause irritation to your eyes, nasal passages, and especially in your lungs. It is also possible to cause skin irritations, hives, and rashes on those who have skin sensitivities.

If you have a confirmed tree/wood allergy, it's important to check for a related family of that wood. Click here for a complete list of trees, their associated families and their associated symptoms. If you are allergic to one type of tree, you will share similar allergic symptoms with any in that related wood family.

Aside from avoiding being around burning wood, you can plan ahead by taking an allergy medication or supplement such as Allergena Trees, Weeds, and Grass. Using this product once daily, can act as a supplement to lessen the severity of these tree allergies. Speaking with your doctor or allergist can help to pinpoint exactly what allergen is causing your symptoms. When you know the root of the problem, it's much easier to take safeguards on being symptom-free.

Rain Allergies and Asthma: Are You Allergic to Rain?

You may not be exactly allergic to rain but rain may cause severe asthma and allergy symptoms in some people.

Roughly 95% of people with asthma suffer from allergies. Rain can irritate those with asthma especially severely. Heavy rain typically washes pollen out of the environment. But before it gets to that point, rain often causes pollen spores to burst sending a large amount of pollen into the air. This happens most during light rains. Pollen particles and grains get broken apart releasing tiny particles into the air. Winds from thunderstorms help the pollens to travel farther distances as well.

When an allergy sufferer breathes in these freshly burst pollen grains, it can cause severe asthma symptoms called "thunderclap asthma." This causes an allergic reaction in the lungs for those with and even without an existing asthma condition. Research suggests that a storm's electrical charge can make pollen more sticky. This can increase the chance that these pollens will cause major irritation if and when inhaled.

Dust mites, animal dander, molds, and pollen are the most common triggers of asthma and allergy symptoms. However, summer rains can cause increased symptoms. Research shows a relationship between thunderstorms and worsening of asthma and allergies. Thunderclap asthma doesn't necessarily mean you are allergic to rain. But it does increase the chances of breathing issues and allergy symptoms.

There is hope. There are steps you can take to decrease the rain's effect on your allergies and asthma. Keeping your windows closed, showering and washing your hair and bedding at night all can help to keep the pollens to a minimum. Pay special attention to upcoming weather reports. Keep asthma medication with you at all times because inclement weather can strike without any warning. Try to stay indoors when you know a rain storm in approaching. Taking products designed to help with asthma and allergies on a regular basis can help as well. Allergena Fragrance helps with airborne allergens that can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. Being prepared is your best defense to keeping your asthma and allergies to a minimum when it rains.

Exercise-Induced Allergies

Some people dislike exercise and claim they are allergic, but exercise-induced allergies really do exist.

When starting a new exercise plan, it's common to feel winded, out of breath, flushed, dizzy and exhausted. Less common, are these symptoms when you exercise regularly for months and haven't changed intensity or duration. If you experience these symptoms and you are physically fit and exercise regularly, you may have exercise-induced allergies.

Exercise-induced allergies may hit during or after exercise. It can trigger an asthma attack in people who have a history of asthma. But, in exercise-induced allergy sufferers, they may only experience asthma while they exercise. This type of asthma is more likely during really cold weather when the air is very dry. People may have difficulty breathing, cough, wheeze and need to use their inhaler to breath normally.

On rare occasions, strenuous exercise can cause a potentially severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. In this type of reaction, breathing becomes difficult, blood pressure may decrease causing dizziness and fainting. This type of reaction is often found in people allergic to specific foods such as shellfish or peanut allergies. However, people with exercise-induced allergies can experience the same symptoms when they eat specific foods prior to exercise without a negative reaction. Once the individual begins to exercise, an anaphylactic reaction may occur. An epinephrine pen (Epi-pen) can save this individual's life in this circumstance because an anaphylactic reaction can be dangerous and life threatening.

So how can you find out if you have exercise-induced allergies? You will have to talk to your doctor. Symptoms typically are triggered once you exercise and occur after 5-10 minutes of moderate to intense exercise. A diagnosis will be based on your symptoms and how they relate to exercising. Your doctor may perform an exercise challenge test. This test measures lung function before, during, and after exercise on a treadmill or recumbent bike.

For people with asthma, taking medicine to control asthma symptoms prior to exercising prevents symptoms. Additionally, people with exercise-induced anaphylactic reactions will need to avoid eating the food causing these reactions several hours prior to exercising. An epi-pen should always be carried for emergency treatment in the event of this type of reaction. It is also always recommended that you exercise with someone or in a public place.

Living with exercise-induced allergies follows the same methods as living with any type of allergy. Once you are aware of your symptoms, see a doctor for a proper diagnosis, you can find effective ways to live a normal healthy life. Products such as Allergena-Allergy can help your body heal itself and decrease symptoms of allergies, especially when taken with traditional treatments. Make sure to speak with your doctor before beginning any new exercise program.