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Beijing Tackles Allergic Catkin Bloom with Eco-Friendly Solutions

4/16/2026

30 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Beijing faces an annual allergy-inducing bloom of willow and poplar catkins, but officials will not cut the trees, opting to sterilize some and gradually replace old or diseased specimens.
Experts highlight the ecological importance of these trees for soil and water conservation.
Innovative solutions include grafting male scions onto female trees and using a non-toxic polymer flocculant to reduce catkin dispersal.

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Story summary

Beijing faces an annual allergy-inducing bloom of willow and poplar catkins, but officials will not cut the trees, opting to sterilize some and gradually replace old or diseased specimens.
Experts highlight the ecological importance of these trees for soil and water conservation.
Innovative solutions include grafting male scions onto female trees and using a non-toxic polymer flocculant to reduce catkin dispersal.