It's that time of year when winter gradually loosens its grip and spring gains more control of our weather.
Bugs and birds return. The sun is out later. And there's a smell of rotten fish in the air...
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That last part seems out of place, but it's true for many parts of North Carolina.
The culprit? The Bradford Pear tree.
It's a pretty tree, but it's become quite invasive.
According to the North Carolina State Extension, "From the 1950s through the 1990s, Callery pears were among the most commonly planted urban trees in the southeastern United States."
Why do people hate this tree?
These trees release a chemical to attract pollinators, and that's what causes the really nasty smell.
You'll find that many people complain about its odor for the first one-to-two weeks that it's in bloom.
It's more than just a nuisance, though. These trees are highly susceptible to gusty wind, and we're not just talking about the 58 mph gusts that constitute a "severe" thunderstorm.
The reason is its shape and how quickly it grows. The NC State Extension also states, "The tree’s acute branching structure and fast growth lead to weak branch unions."
It's gotten so bad, that there are some counties and localities that have a bounty out for the tree. Homeowners can remove the pest, and they can be given a replacement tree.
The closest event to our area is in Burlington on May 9, 2026.
Are trees blooming sooner or later than usual?
The Bradford Pear can bloom any time in March or April, so it's not uncommon to see it blooming this week.
Its blooming, however, is being sped up by the warmer weather we've seen recently. Although only nine days old, this March has been off to the second-warmest start on record.
We've had three days in the 80s, and we're expecting two more. That would make the most 80° days through March 11 since 1976.
This past winter (December-February) was the coolest in our area since 2014, though. Therefore, most spring leaves are blooming slightly later than their average date.
Nonetheless, pollen levels are starting to creep up a bit.
It won't be long until we find our cars coated in a shade of yellow, but that's not due to the Bradford Pear. That's your pine tree pollen.