Watch These Mountain Cedar Trees 'Sneeze' Pollen

The mountain cedar has been called “Texas’ Most Hated Tree” and “Mother Nature’s hazing ritual just for Texans.” Found throughout Central Texas, the mountain cedar (Juniperus ashei) is famous for shedding clouds of pollen each winter, causing terrible allergies for Texans in the surrounding area.

Some Texans hate the trees so much that they'd like to eradicate them. According to StateImpact Texas, mountain cedars don't just wreak havoc on allergies: They also pull gallons of much-needed water from Texas soil and even cause wildfires. Some believe that, in addition to causing watery eyes and sniffly noses, the trees pose a genuine environmental threat.

But despite protests, the least popular tree in Texas seems to be sticking around for now. And though they may be trouble for Texan allergy-sufferers, the amount of pollen they produce is undeniably impressive. Watch as mountain cedars release huge clouds of pollen (either as the result of a gust of wind or adventurous folks shaking them) in the videos below, and just try not to sneeze.

[h/t: Scientific American]