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Above: A Judas tree at Lincoln's Inn.
Below: the same tree with John Soane's museum in the background
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Trees of London
Lincoln's Inn Fields
Judas Tree
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The Judas tree is so called because it is thought that Judas, after betraying Christ, committed suicide by hanging himself from one of these trees. Of course, there is no evidence for this whatsoever. Possibly because of the way the branches grow horizontally, it seems easy to attach a rope around them. In reality the branches would not be nearly high enough to get a good drop. It is not recommend that this be put to the test. Also adding credence to the theory, possibly, is that the tree originates from that region. One can take just a glance at this tree to tell that it is not native; it has a Mediterranean look to it of the sort depicted in paintings of the bible stories. It stands out in the winter because it has bean like nuts.
Autumn beans from Judas tree.
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Other Trees at Lincoln's Inn fields
laburnum silver maple Indian bean
birch hazel oak
Lincoln's Inn fields
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Tree Identification |
Cercis siliquastrum: |
Leaf: alternate; veins: alternate; round to heart shaped. |  |
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nuts/fruit: beanlike, remain on the tree until spring. |
 | Flowers: a striking pink for a short time in spring. |
| bark: reddish brown; quite rugged. |
shape:
| grows to 10 metres; usually grows at an angle. |
general: once you've seen one, they are easy to identify, especially if you know the story about Judas. |
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Location
There is a group of four trees to the left of the entrance closest to the John Soane Museum. This one is the furthest away, and is notable because its trunk runs along the ground before going up. yellow: John Soane's Museum. blue: Judas tree. |
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Trees of London A James Wilkinson Publication ©
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