Friday, July 12, 2013

Strange white fluff mistaken for hazard was from trees

Robert Todd of Wellowgate, Grimsby, was confused when he saw a fog of "white fluff" floating about on Tuesday.



While waiting for a package at his home, he even became concerned that the substance may be asbestos and reported it to North East Lincolnshire Council.

However, it was soon discovered that the mysterious white fluff was coming from a number of large poplar trees in Ainslie Street Park. Luckily, the substance is not harmful – even to those who suffer from hayfever and commonly mistake it as the cause of a reaction.


YouTube link.

It is only the female trees that give off the fluff, known as pukh, and it usually only lasts for two weeks of the year or less. Mr Todd, 51, said: "I like to stay abreast with nature and environmental issues, but that is honestly something that's passed me by. I've definitely learnt something new today."

4 comments:

Ratz said...

Yeah, don't leap to the most fearful possible conclusion.

BoS said...

Snowflakes with Aids! Run away!

Anonymous said...

He's 51 and he's never heard of or seen white fluff from trees! Definitely must be a bit grim in Grimsby!

Gareth said...

No Grimsby's fine, it's just this individual who's an idiot. Even if he'd never seen the stuff before did it not occur to him that nobody else was panicking?