The Red Buds are blooming -- another siren call of spring in the South. The Red Bud blooms its purple flowers early in spring, when other trees are still struggling to form leaves, giving vibrant color to an otherwise dull landscape. Since the Red Bud flowers so early, honeybees rush to the tree and provide pollination. The Red Bud is also sometimes called the Judas tree because it is believed that Judas Iscariot hanged himself on a Red Bud, or a very close relative of the tree. My home, Red Bud, was named after the tree, which is said to have been very abundant in the area, a century and a half ago. It is fitting that the first bloomer of spring in the South should drop its flowers to give way to a heart shaped leaf. In fall the hearts turn vibrant yellow and pods filled with seeds form. In late fall the pods drop and quail, deer and turkey feed on them. The Red Bud is one of the South’s most beautiful gifts, giving purple flowers, green hearts, and yellow leaves. What a fitting name for our little crossroads town in northern Georgia.