I'm Following a Tree | March

I've finally chosen the tree I'm going to follow this year. It's taken me a while to settle on my choice because I know that I won't be able to photograph this particular tree throughout an entire year - it's growing in The Courts Garden, which is a National Trust property in Holt, and which isn't open to the public during the winter months so my last photos of it will be in October.
 
I fell in love with this tree when I saw it on a visit to the gardens last year. It doesn't look that spectacular yet, but just you wait!
  

 
I don't even need to type the name of the tree thanks to the National Trust's efficiency ...
 
 
 
Lots of the branches are covered in lichen ...
 

 
... but there are plenty of red buds offering the promise of the colour to come.
 
 
 
The seed pods usually fall in the autumn but there are still lots of them hanging on the tree.  The Judas Tree is related to peas and legumes so the pods are similar to beans, except they are flattened rather than plump. 
 


Each pod holds between four and ten seeds - this one looks like it contains five.


I thinks this may be quite a young tree as it hasn't develop the purple hue on the trunk which is usually seen in an older tree.  It's about nine feet tall, so it still has a lot of growing to do.  I'll speak to one of the gardeners next time I'm there to try to find out when it was planted.
 
Linking with The Squirrelbasket.

Comments

  1. Excellent and unusual choice! I've always wondered why it's called the Judas tree, but I expect you will tell us at some stage in the year.
    The pods are wonderful and those red buds look so wicked and claw-like.
    Thanks for joining in - I will add your details to the master list.
    All the best :)

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  2. I like your choice of tree. I also would be interested to know why it is called a Judas tree. Looking forward to your updates throughout the year. Oh & I also finally settled on a tree to follow. I just need to wait for the snow to lessen so I can get into the field to take some close up photos of it. This is going to be a fun project for sure.

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  3. Great to hear you have chosen a redbud! I know them from California where I used to live, but haven't seen one in a long time. I look forward to your photos through the year.

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  4. Interesting twisting shape of the seed pods.

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  5. A very interesting tree to follow! I will look forward to your posts through the year! xx

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