Cedar Fever in Central Texas: Causes, Timeline, and What Actually Helps

Cedar Fever in Central Texas: What Causes It — and What Actually Helps (From a Tree Service Owner with Terrible Allergies)

If you’ve lived in Central Texas for any length of time, you’ve probably heard of — or personally suffered from — cedar fever. For me, as a tree service owner, I have about the most exposure you can realistically get for a person who has terrible cedar fever. For many people, it’s the worst allergy season of the year, bringing weeks of misery with little relief from typical allergy medications.

So what actually causes cedar fever, when is it at its worst, and is there anything you can realistically do to reduce its impact around your home?

Let’s break it down honestly.

What Is Cedar Fever?

Cedar fever is not caused by true cedar trees. It’s triggered by pollen from Ashe juniper, a native evergreen tree that dominates much of the Texas Hill Country.

Unlike spring pollen from grasses and flowers, Ashe juniper releases massive amounts of pollen during the winter months, which is why cedar fever feels so different from other seasonal allergies.

Common symptoms include:

• Severe nasal congestion

• Runny nose

• Itchy or watery eyes

• Sinus pressure and headaches

• Fatigue and “brain fog”

For some people, symptoms can last weeks or even months.

When Is Cedar Fever Season in Central Texas?

Cedar fever typically follows this pattern:

• Late December: Pollen season begins

• January: Peak pollen release (worst symptoms)

• February: Gradual decline

• March: Usually tapers off

Cold fronts and dry, windy days can cause sudden spikes, while rain temporarily reduces airborne pollen.

If you’ve ever woken up feeling fine and been miserable by noon — that’s cedar pollen at work.

Why Cedar Pollen Is So Aggressive

Ashe juniper pollen grains are:

• Extremely small

• Easily airborne

• Designed to travel long distances by wind

That means even if your neighbor has cedar trees, or there’s a dense stand a half-mile away, pollen can still reach your home.

This is why cedar fever feels unavoidable — and why many people assume nothing can be done.

Does Removing Cedar Trees Help With Cedar Fever?

This is where things get misunderstood.

Removing cedar trees will not cure cedar fever.Pollen travels too far for complete elimination.

However…

Strategic cedar clearing can reduce exposure

Selective clearing around homes, driveways, and living areas can:

• Reduce the local concentration of pollen

• Limit pollen trapped near windows, doors, and HVAC intakes

• Improve air quality in outdoor living spaces

Think of it as reducing smoke near a campfire — you may still smell it, but you’re no longer standing directly in the plume.

The most effective approach focuses on:

• Clearing dense cedar within buffer zones near the home

• Removing trees upwind of prevailing winter winds

• Avoiding unnecessary clearing far from structures

  
  

What Cedar Clearing Will Not Do

It’s important to be realistic.

Cedar clearing will not:

• Eliminate cedar pollen from the region

• Replace medical treatment for allergies

• Provide instant relief during peak pollen days

Anyone promising a “cure” is overselling.

What it can do is reduce daily exposure and make symptoms more manageable — especially for people living on heavily wooded lots.

Other Practical Ways to Reduce Cedar Fever Symptoms

In addition to selective clearing, homeowners often see improvement by:

• Using high-quality HVAC filters

• Keeping windows closed on high-pollen days

• Rinsing outdoor surfaces where pollen accumulates

• Showering after outdoor work during peak season

Cedar fever management works best when approached from multiple angles.

When Does Cedar Clearing Make Sense?

Cedar clearing may be worth considering if:

• Cedar trees are dense within 50–150 feet of the home

• Trees sit directly upwind during winter

• Pollen visibly accumulates on porches and entryways

• Outdoor spaces are unusable during cedar season

A professional assessment can help determine whether clearing would meaningfully reduce exposure — or if it would simply be unnecessary expense.

Final Thoughts

Cedar fever is a reality of life in Central Texas, but that doesn’t mean homeowners are powerless.

Understanding what causes it, when it’s worst, and what realistically helps allows you to make smart, cost-effective decisions — not emotional ones driven by frustration.

If you’re considering cedar clearing and want an honest evaluation of whether it would actually help your situation, a professional assessment is the best place to start.

Need an honest cedar clearing assessment?

If cedar around your home is making life miserable, we’re happy to take a look and explain what selective clearing could — or could not — realistically do for your property.