Landscaping of the site will decorate the wonderful Judas tree

The Judah tree is a plant of the legume family. It grows in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. In Russia, in its natural environment, it is found in the Caucasus and Crimea. It is planted in hedges and multi-level flower beds. Used in landscape design compositions.

Description of Judah's tree

Judas tree, or European Cersis - shrub or tree, reaches 6-16 m in height. The dense crown has the shape of a ball. The twisted trunk is covered with black wrinkled bark. Light green leaves are round, heart-shaped, 6-12 cm in diameter. The bottom of the leaf plate is covered with dark feeding veins. Thin leaf petioles are 4 cm long.

Pink-lilac flowers are collected in inflorescences of 3-6 pieces. Buds appear on branches, in leaf axils and on the trunk. Fruits are flat beans 6-11 cm long. 9-15 roundish brown seeds ripen in each pod. The plant blooms from mid-April to May. Fruiting begins in early September.

Cersis European grows on rocky hills and slopes, prefers lime acidified soils. The plant is drought-resistant and light-requiring. In the shade, the tree slows down, gets sick and dies.

The Judah tree is thermophilic. Withstands a short drop in air temperature to -13 ° C. Cersis grows slowly, at 5-6 years old it reaches a height of 1.3-1.6 m. Century trees grow up to 13 m with a trunk diameter of 55-65 cm. Learn the height of the sequoia!

The wood of the Judah tree is used for joinery and construction work. Young buds are used to prepare a hot seasoning for oriental spicy dishes. Flowers decorate the interior. Plant - productive honey plant... It is planted near apiaries.

The legend of the Judah tree

Many people wonder why the Judas tree is so called. Legend has it that in ancient times the inflorescences of the plant were snow-white in color and exuded a delicate, enchanting aroma. The lush bloom delighted people, weddings were played near the tree, holidays were celebrated and celebrations were celebrated. This continued until Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus Christ, chose Tersis to commit suicide: he hanged himself on a strong branch of a tree.

All people who disdained the traitor stopped honoring the plant for the beauty and aroma of inflorescences. No one else gathered in the shadow of Tersis for lavish festivities and celebrations. People named the plant the "Judas tree" and avoided it. The shrub itself, saddened and disgraced by the touch of Judas, changed the color of the flowers from snow-white to pink. Since then, the color of the Judah Tree reminds those living today of betrayal, lust for power and hypocrisy.

Scientists believe that there was confusion in the translations with the name of the plant. Perhaps, Tersis was called not Judah, but the Jewish tree, thereby denoting the place of growth - ancient Judea. This explains why the Judah tree got its name.

Reproduction of Tersis

The Judah tree is propagated by seed and cuttings. Stratify the seed for 3-3.5 months before planting. To do this, place the seeds in the refrigerator, cellar, basement, or balcony.

Immediately before planting, soak the seeds in a container of hot water for 24 hours. The shell will soften, which will increase the number of seedlings.

Freshly harvested material can be planted before winter in tall beds with loose rocky soil.A large percentage of germination of seeds stored in pods on a tree all winter.

In June-July, cut cuttings with 2-4 live buds from the tree. Plant the shoots in a mixture of humus and sand, moisten the soil daily. Do not repot the plant for 0.5-1 years, a weak root system may deform and die.

If you do not cut the center conductor, the tree will form into one trunk. If removed, lateral shoots form, forming a sprawling spherical crown.

Caring for the Judah tree

The Judas tree or Tersis is a whimsical, capricious plant. It does not grow in places of stagnant moisture and accumulation of groundwater. With poor soil drainage, the number of inflorescences decreases.

Care requirements:

1. Water Zersis only in hot weather. Make sure that the ground is not waterlogged.
2. In spring and autumn, apply to the soil organic fertilizers: mullein, horse manure, bird droppings and urea. Feed Zersis with mineral solutions annually.
3. Loosen the root layer of the soil by removing weeds. During the summer months mulch land with freshly cut grass, chopped straw or dry sawdust.
4. Cut off old, diseased and deformed limbs and branches. If necessary, shape the crown by trimming young shoots.
5. In late autumn, insulate the plant by wrapping rags or hay around the trunk. Cover the root soil with dry foliage or a layer of peat. This will protect young seedlings from freezing.
6. The twigs of Tersis break from the sharp gusts of wind. Tie the young plant to a wooden or plastic support. Place sturdy supports under the branches and thick branches of an adult plant.

The tree is resistant to diseases and pests. It is not affected by powdery mildew and worms. In spring, common aphids can settle on the leaves, which disappears after the tree has been treated with chemicals.

A photo of Judah's tree can be found in the Landscaping Handbook. It is planted in single and group plantings, in harmony with deciduous and coniferous plants. For alley planting, maintain an interval of 4-5 m so that the rhizomes of the Cersis do not touch.

The root system of the tree is pivotal; it is not recommended to transplant a plant more than 3 years old.

Novice gardeners ask themselves questions about what a Judas tree is and whether it is possible to plant a plant in decorative compositions. The whimsical shrub adorns gardens and parks, delighting vacationers with lush bloom in mid-spring. Caring for Tersis is simple, it is enough to follow the recommendations for proper watering and preparing the plant for winter. Do not plant the Judah tree in northern regions with variable climates.