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Photograph of Judas tree
Photo: Wikipedia

Judas tree

Cercis siliquastrum

  • Layer 2 · Understorey
  • Nitrogen fixer

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

Native to the Mediterranean region and Western Asia, the Judas tree is a deciduous tree famous for its pinkish-purple blossom that emerges directly on the bare branches before the leaves. In a food forest, it acts as a support species that attracts vital pollinators in early spring, as well as providing edible flowers. Although it belongs to the legume family, this species does not fix nitrogen in the soil.

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Needs

  • Water: Low
  • Light: Full sun
  • Size: Small tree of 4 to 6 m
  • Mature diameter: 4 m
  • Soils: Clay, Loam, Sandy, Limestone
  • Climates: Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Hot, dry Mediterranean

Calendar

  1. January — Planting
  2. February — Planting
  3. March — Planting
  4. April — Harvest
  5. May — Harvest
  6. June
  7. July
  8. August
  9. September
  10. October
  11. November — Planting
  12. December — Planting
  • Harvest
  • Planting

Medicinal use: Its edible flowers with a tangy flavour are used as a light condiment in salads.

Where to buy

Grows well with

Central trees this plant has already been paired with.

Related plants

Other species in the same layer or with the same function.

See which trees the judas tree grows well with

Pick the central tree on your land and see the full guild.

No account needed.

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