The Flowers and Fruits
of the Bible by John Chancellor

The almond tree blooms early in the year ; in Palestine its pinkish blossoms may even be seen in January. Its Hebrew name shaked means 'waker'. For the Jews it was a 'wake-tree', a harbinger of spring, a reminder that winter was passing, that soon flowers would cover the earth and birds sing and the voice of the turtle-dove be heard once again in the land.