The pollen is coming. What to know about this allergy season.

Spring is here and love is in the air. And so is the pollen — meaning for plants, that first sentence is quite literal.

Anyone who has a Windows on their computer has almost certainly seen that dreaded notification at the bottom right corner of their screen with a tiny flower icon and the words "high pollen count." Those three words have the potential to suck the joy out of waking up to a sunny day.

Knowing what trees are releasing their pollen, and when, can help you predict the high pollen-count days and decide if you want to stay in that day (if you can).

Here's a little information to help you protect yourself so you can enjoy the few short months of good weather in New England:

The three pollen seasons: Trees, grass and weeds

Pollen can be broken down into three categories depending on where it comes from — trees, grass and weeds. Tree pollen is the first to hit, with most trees producing their pollen between February and May. Here's when the specific tree species around Massachusetts start getting busy.

• February through June - oak
• February to May - maple, pine, mulberry
• March to May - ash, aspen
• April to May - birch, elm
• April to June - hickory, willow

Grass pollen will start around this time, compounding hay fever (pollen allergy) symptoms. Weeds don't start until the late summer and early fall, making back-to-school season potentially even less pleasant.

How does pollen affect your body?

Plants, trees and grass release pollen in the spring to fertilize other plants of the same species. The powdery particles drift in the air and are easily inhaled.

In some people, inhaling pollen causes their immune systems to overreact. The immune system sees the pollen as a danger and releases antibodies that attack the allergens. That leads to the release of histamines into the blood. Histamines trigger runny noses, itchy eyes and other allergy symptoms.

What can I do to help with pollen-related allergies?

Watching the local pollen counts in your area can improve your spring and summer by leaps and bounds.

Make sure the outside doesn't come inside by keeping windows and doors closed and shower before bed to get rid any pollen accumulated from the day.

USA Today contributed to this report.