The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TREE MYTH

THE RED-BUD TREE IS ALSO CALLED THE JUDAS TREE, FOR IT IS BELIEVED
TO HAVE BEEN THE TREE ON WHICH JUDAS HANGED HIMSELF. THE TINY RED
BLOOMS WHICH IT PRODUCES SYMBOLIZE THE BLOOD OF THE TRAITOR.

Submitter comment: MY MOTHER WAS THE INFORMANT. SHE ADDED THAT SHE DID NOT THINK THE
BELIEF COULD BE RELATED TO FACT, FOR THE BRANCHES OF THE RED-BUD
TREE ARE VERY BRITTLE AND BREAK EASILY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE