Linden (Tilia) is one of the most recognizable trees in Croatian cities, parks, and tree-lined streets — in June and July it fills the air with a thick, sweet fragrance. Precisely because of that scent, many assume it is a strong allergen, but in fact it is a weak allergen: linden pollen is mostly left to insects rather than to the wind.

Which tree we're talking about

At home, we most commonly have large-leafed linden (Tilia platyphyllos) and small-leafed linden (Tilia cordata). Both flower in mid-summer with abundant nectar that attracts bees — linden honey and linden tea are known precisely for that reason.

The flowers are built for pollination by insects (entomophily), so linden releases relatively little pollen into the air. This is why measured concentrations are almost always low, even when the tree is in full bloom and the scent is strong.

Season

  • June and July
  • peak does not last long, usually two to three weeks
  • overlaps with grass season, which can obscure the real cause of complaints

How strong an allergen it is

Linden is classified as a weak allergen. In most allergy sufferers it does not cause pronounced complaints; reactions are possible only with very close and prolonged exposure to flowering trees. Strong fragrance is not a measure of allergenicity — it comes from volatile aromatic substances, not from pollen.

Symptoms

In sensitive people possible mild symptoms:

  • watery nasal discharge and congestion
  • sneezing
  • itching and redness of the eyes

Pronounced summer complaints are more often caused by grasses or weeds than by linden.

Diagnosis

  • skin prick tests for linden as part of a woody allergen panel
  • specific IgE tests from blood when skin tests are unreliable
  • keeping a symptom diary helps distinguish linden from simultaneous, stronger summer allergens

What helps

  • Second-generation antihistamines if symptoms occur
  • Nasal corticosteroid spray for pronounced symptoms
  • avoiding prolonged stay under flowering lindens during peak blooming
  • Ventilation during times with lower pollen concentrations

Note

This is not medical advice. If you suspect you have an allergy to linden pollen or any other pollen, consult your family physician or allergist. Since linden flowers alongside grasses, targeted testing helps determine the real cause of summer complaints.