Spring is a reprieve for Chinese city dwellers, particularly in the country’s north, who endure harsh winters.
Flowers bloom on trees that looked dead for months. But for residents, flowers bring more than just a splash of color. In April every year, Tianjin is covered by poplar and willow catkins floating in the air. It is estimated that floating catkins will appear in Beijing and Tianjin from April 7 or April 8 this year.
The fluffy catkins come from the seeds of female poplar and willow trees as part of their natural reproduction.
Catkins are mostly harmless, but for some, they do cause respiratory issues.
The floating catkins are often depicted in Chinese literature as part of the beautiful scenery. It has earned the moniker “snow in April”. In real life, the catkins can get old real fast for many residents, who complain of inflamed allergies and the mess the balls of fluff make.
The municipal government has lined up several measures to get this April snow under control. Authorities has created a registry of all willow and poplar trees. These trees were grafted, trimmed, and injected with chemicals to inhibit their reproduction.