Home Top Stories Berkeley County Turns Yellow as Tree Pollen Levels Soar

Berkeley County Turns Yellow as Tree Pollen Levels Soar

PICTURED: Pollen blankets a pond in Bonneau. (CREDIT: Nikki Gaskins Campbell/The Berkeley Observer)

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – If your car looked perfectly clean yesterday and today resembles a banana-flavored donut, congratulations — you are officially experiencing spring in Berkeley County.

Right now, tree pollen levels in Moncks Corner and throughout the county are very high, meaning the risk of allergy symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and sinus pressure is also very high.


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In other words: The trees have declared war.

CREDIT: Nikki Gaskins Campbell/The Berkeley Observer

What’s Causing All This Pollen?

The main culprit right now is tree pollen, which typically spikes first during the spring allergy season.

Local trees like:

  • Pine
  • Oak
  • Hickory
  • Cedar

are currently releasing tiny pollen grains into the air so they can reproduce.

Which is beautiful and natural.

But also means your windshield will look like it was dusted with powdered mustard.

PICTURED: Current tree pollen levels in Moncks Corner and nearby areas. (CREDIT: AccuWeather)
15-day allergy forecast for Moncks Corner and surrounding areas (CREDIT: The Weather Channel)

Signs Tree Pollen Is Winning

You know pollen levels are high in Berkeley County when:

  • Your black vehicle turns bright yellow overnight
  • Your porch furniture needs to be wiped down every 45 minutes
  • Your dog comes inside looking like it was lightly breaded
  • Everyone in the grocery store is sneezing in unison

When pollen counts rise, more microscopic pollen grains are floating in the air, which makes allergy symptoms worse for many people.

PICTURED: Pollen covers a bench in Berkeley County. (CREDIT: Nikki Gaskins Campbell/The Berkeley Observer)

Why Berkeley County Gets Hit So Hard

Unfortunately, the Lowcountry is basically a five-star resort for pollen.

Warm temperatures, mild winters, and lots of trees help pollen develop earlier and spread more easily throughout the region.

Add a little wind and sunshine, and suddenly the air looks like a yellow snow globe.

PICTURED: Pollen covers an outside table in Berkeley County. (CREDIT: Nikki Gaskins Campbell/The Berkeley Observer)

How to Survive the Pollen Cloud

If the pollen is currently attacking your sinuses, here are a few survival strategies:

1. Check pollen forecasts before outdoor plans
You might want to postpone that “quick yard project.”

2. Wash pollen off when you get home
Otherwise you bring it inside like an unwanted house guest.

3. Keep allergy medicine nearby
This is not the week to forget.

4. Accept that your car will never truly be clean
You can wash it… but pollen will be back before the water dries.

The Bottom Line

Tree pollen is currently very high in the Moncks Corner area, meaning allergy sufferers across Berkeley County may be feeling the effects right now.

So if you’re sneezing, rubbing your eyes, and wondering why everything outside is tinted yellow…

Don’t worry. It’s not just you. It’s spring in Berkeley County.