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GARDEN 7 |
The Judas Tree
There is a small lawn to the East of the house which contains one of the main features of the garden. The Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum). This tree is supposedly named after Judas Iscariot, who, legend has it, hanged himself from a tree such as this. It is more likely, however, to be simply a corruption of the word "Judea" as the tree is endemic to that region. A sea of cyclamen pink, pea-shaped blossom appears on the naked branches in early May and last for about two weeks before being followed by heart-shaped leaves and long, brown, seed pods in late summer. Not reliably hardy, it causes much concern as late frosts can strip the blossom overnight. It was probably one of the earliest plantings in the garden and would now be just over 100 years old.
(L) October 1987; Somewhere under this Holm oak is the Judas Tree. (R) The remains are finally uncovered.
The tree has now completely recovered from damage suffered during the "great storm" of October 1987, when it was flattened by a nearby evergreen oak which came down on top of it. Split into three pieces, the poor thing was so badly damaged that even most of what you can see in the right-hand picture had to be removed to facilitate mowing. After suffering such devastation, it was eventually agreed that the tree should be removed altogether. Originally given one year's stay of execution, it has now reached 20 feet high and has a span of 30 feet.
The Judas Tree in full bloom is an impressive sight. (L) As seen from the shop. (C) The tree changes colour completely if a cloud passes in front of the sun. (R) View from the orchard.
The blossom is produced in clusters along the naked branches.
(L) The young leaves have a beautiful coppery bronze flush. (R) Cyclamen enjoy the dry shade in the remains of the main trunk.