Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign:
behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. (Zec 3:8)


Cycle of the Almond Tree

A branch blossoming and flourishing

Known as the "watchful" tree, the almond tree is the first of the fruit trees to awaken from its winter slumber as the light of day noticeably increases around late January and early February. Upon awakening, the almond branches clothe themselves, or cover their nakedness, in light pink blossoms that turn white as snow. During the time of blossoming or abib, bees (debar-ah in Hebrew) - which are critical to the process - deliver pollen from blossom to blossom. Each five-petaled blossom falls to the ground within 5 to 14 days after opening. 

A branch with firstfruits hastily growing

Immediately following pollination, firstfruits begin to hastily emerge from the calyx, resembling flames of fire.  These firstfruits hastily grow over a course of weeks reaching their maximum size. The duration of this hasty ripening lasts around seven weeks or so.

A branch with firstfruits ready to harvest - 1st harvest

Around seven weeks following pollination, the fruit of the almond tree reaches its potential size while the inner core remains soft and gelatinous. During this early stage of growth, a few of these firstfruits are chosen and handpicked so that the remaining fruits are not disturbed and may remain on the branches. This is the first of two harvests for the almond tree, a harvest of firstfruits. This harvest of firstfruits is common in the Middle East and accounts for less than 1% of the total harvest. 

A branch with the flesh withering in the heat

The fruit that remains on the tree continues to mature in the heat. The exterior of the fruit splits open while the inner core or seed grows firm. As the flesh withers through the intense summer heat, the sweet, single, edible seed inside is revealed.

A branch with seed ready to be gathered - last harvest

Once the flesh has completely withered over the course of the summer heat, the eye-shaped seed is ready to be gathered in.  This gathering - the last and final gathering - occurs at the intensity of the summer heat, in the seventh month after blossoming or abib. Harvesters beat, strike and shake the branches causing the seeds to fall to the ground. The seed is then gathered and brought into a storehouse where the shell is separated from the hull and the seed is separated from the shell. This seed is known as one of the world's healthiest foods. When the seeds are crushed, they yield a remarkable golden oil and a highly regarded choice meal or fine flour.

A branch that is sleeping

As the winter cold draws nigh and the length of night exceeds the length of day, the almond tree begins to shed its leaves and prepares to enter a state of dormancy or rest. During dormancy or sleep, the almond tree and its branches build up resources for the next season's fruit and remain watchful and alert to the changes in the seasons.