Fragrant ether: apple and cherry trees have bloomed in Central Russia
Bird cherry and apple trees have already begun to bloom in Moscow, the Moscow region, Lipetsk and other regions that are part of the Central Federal District, warn regional authorities of allergy sufferers. These trees also began to gather dust in the Volga region and in the south-east of Western Siberia. The beginning of their flowering in the Leningrad region is expected after the May holidays, allergologists noted. Where else did the dusting of these trees begin and how to prevent allergy sufferers from feeling worse? — in the Izvestia article.
Where the trees bloomed
Apple trees and bird cherry trees have already bloomed in the Central Federal District, Izvestia found out after analyzing data from regional departments and local mass media. For example, trees have already bloomed in Moscow and the Moscow region.
In the capital, apple trees bloomed in the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve, and cherry blossoms were noticed by residents of the Sokol district. Lilacs also bloomed abnormally early in Moscow this year: on April 22, the administration of the botanical garden of the Moscow State University "Aptekarsky Ogorod" told about it on its website. They also clarified that in 2024, it disbanded in early May. Lilac blossoms were also recorded in the Lipetsk region.
Apple trees have already bloomed in the Belgorod, Kursk, Lipetsk, Smolensk, Tula, Yaroslavl and Oryol regions. These trees have also already begun to "dust" in the Volga region — Tatarstan and Chuvashia. In addition to apple trees, plum blossomed in the Smolensk region, and pear and bird cherry blossomed in the Yaroslavl region.
"This year, spring in the Yaroslavl region is breaking all records. Already on April 25, 2025, the bird cherry blossomed, although it usually pleases us with its white tassels only in May. Why is it so early? The abnormally warm weather accelerated the flowering of not only cherry trees, but also apple trees," says the website of the integrated center for social services of the Krasnoperekopsky district of Yaroslavl.
Bird cherry blossomed in the Ryazan region, as well as in Siberia — in the Altai Territory.
— Cherry blossoms usually occur in April – June, but may vary depending on weather conditions. The "dusting" of apple trees falls in May. But this year, both trees began to bloom earlier due to the abnormally warm winter," Nikolai Smirnov, an allergist, immunologist and chief physician of the Fantasy Children's clinic, told Izvestia.
The expert added that the dusting of these plants in the Northwestern Federal District, for example in the Leningrad Region, falls in May-June, but this year it may shift and start earlier - after the May Day weekend or after all the holidays in May.
What other trees will bloom in May
Birch, oak, ash, poplar, willow, maple, elm and aspen are actively blooming, recalled immunologist and allergist Vladimir Bolibok. According to him, their dusting is more critical for allergy sufferers than pollen from cherry and apple trees.
— Pollen from apple trees and bird cherry trees rarely causes allergies, as the trees are not wind-pollinated. Consequently, the pollen of these trees is practically absent in the air," he said.
The expert also noted that grasses and dandelions will bloom at the end of May.
And Nikolai Smirnov emphasized that allergens are all trees that belong to the Bucoceraceae family, and among them there are apple trees and pears.
— The concentration of pollen in the air is important for the development of allergies. Birch, alder and hazel trees have the highest concentration of pollen in the period from the second half of March to May in central Russia, and they are the most severely allergic. Allergies to other trees develop to a lesser extent," he stressed.
Allergy sufferers should strictly observe a hypoallergenic lifestyle during the period of active tree pollination, Nikolai Smirnov reminded. He recommended trying to minimize contact with pollen: do not go to forested areas, do not walk in clear, sunny, windy weather, when the concentration of pollen is maximum.
After coming from the street, the doctor advised me to wash my face, rinse my nose, and take a shower. He also recommended closing the windows in apartments and cars, carrying out daily wet cleaning and using air purifiers.
In addition, Nikolai Smirnov emphasized the importance of taking antiallergic drugs during the flowering period.
— If the allergy is confirmed by laboratory or skin tests, it is worth taking a course of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) in winter. It will help alleviate allergy symptoms in the spring and prevent the development of asthma," the expert added.
There are four main components in the treatment of allergies, the allergist said. According to him, this is a hypoallergenic lifestyle, a hypoallergenic diet for patients with intolerance to the fruits of flowering trees, drug therapy, which is prescribed during an exacerbation, and conducting ASIT in winter.
Also, the doctor added, it is better for patients with pollen allergies to travel to other regions during active dusting — to the seashore, to arid areas where there are no flowering trees. For example, in the northern regions of Russia.
It is extremely important to start treating allergy symptoms as early as possible, because untimely measures can lead to the progression of the disease. For example, it can cause an attack of bronchial asthma, which requires the appointment of more serious medications, concluded Nikolai Smirnov.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
