'Tis the season of sneezes

Forestry bureau balances allergen reduction, landscape benefits of cypresses

Every now and then in spring, people can be seen sneezing with stuffy noses on streets in northern China, which may be one of the symptoms of pollen allergy.

In the worst period for sufferers of pollen allergies — especially bad between March and May — forestry and meteorological experts are figuring out ways to alleviate the effects of airborne pollen, which mostly comes from trees.

Those who are annoyed by Beijing's high pollen count have complained to the forestry bureau, suggesting getting to the root of the problem by chopping down the offending trees.