'Blame the males': UPEI biologist says pollen amounts normal

The sights of spring on P.E.I. this year include an eye-catching sight for some Islanders: vivid yellow mats of something or other floating in the water.

Relax. It's tree pollen, according to a UPEIbiologist.

"Sex is in the air," said Christian LeCroix. "Pollen is wind dispersed ... If you have a pond or shore nearby, it will accumulate in huge quantities."

Some islanders have snapped pictures in recent days of what appears to be an undulating yellow ooze. Photos on social media, taken at the Cavendish section of P.E.I. National Park, look downright psychedelic.

According to LaCroix, it's harmless, and a sign that spring is unfolding as it should. Conifer trees on P.E.I., such as pine and spruce, produce pollen in large quantities.

Pollen is produced by the male parts of the trees, on the lower branches.

The female cones awaiting fertilization are found in the loftier boughs of the tree.

"Blamethe males," said LaCroix, in reference to the vast quantities of misplaced pollen on the water.

The reproductive cycle of conifers takes three years.LaCroix saidthe ubiquitous pollen now floating willy-nillylikely means a good crop of cones two years from now.

"I think it's a typical pollination year and it's just the quantity that conifers produce is very high," said LaCroix.

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