Trees of Easter Week

Redbud tree

Growing up I always looked forward to the children's messages at church, and one of my very favorite messages was on the Redbud blooms.   My pastor would bring in a piece of the vibrant magenta tree that was suddenly blooming all over our county.  He would talk about how it was unique because it thrives where the land is damaged, beat up or rough.  And then talk about how beautiful it becomes under those circumstances.  After looking into the Redbud a little bot more I learned that this tree has quite a story.  It is also know as the Judas-tree, after betraying Jesus, Judas hanged himself from a redbud tree and because of this the trees branches were changed so that they would never be strong enough to hang another person.  Although its a sad legend, it is a reminder that even in a bad situation God will show us His goodness.  That might be something to think about the next time you see a redbud tree.


It is said that the Dogwood tree is associated with the Crucifixion of Christ.  Each delicate white or pink blossom of the dogwood has the form of a cross – two long and two short petals. Look closely at a dogwood flower and you will see on the center of the outer edge of each petal there are small holes similar to nail prints, and the tips of the petals are rusty on one side and brown-red on the other. It is not hard to imagine they represent the spikes that pierced the Hands and Feet of Our Lord on the Cross. And in the center of the flower there is a green cluster symbolizing the crown of thorns.  

And so the legend of the dogwood was born. This is the most common version: 

Dogwood Petals

At the time of Our Lord’s Crucifixion, the dogwood used to have the size of the oak and other forest trees. Because the wood was so firm and strong and there were few trees in the Middle East that were very large, it was chosen to be the wood for the crosses used in crucifixions of criminals.

Thus, the wood of the cross that would bear Our Lord and Savior was made from the dogwood tree. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose, however, greatly distressed the tree. Sensing this, the crucified Christ said to it: 

It is said that some are stained red from the blood of Christ

“Because of your compassion and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth, you shall be slender and bent and twisted and your blossoms shall be in the form of a cross. 
“On the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, and the center of the flower will resemble the cruel crown of thorns placed on My head, with bright red clusters once again recalling the blood I shed. Thus, all who see this will remember Me.”