Almond Trees In Bloom In Northern Israel, Just Like In Van Gogh’s Painting!

Here in Northern Israel where we are blessed to be living close to nature, the yearly blooming of the almond trees is something that brings great joy! The almond tree is the first tree to bloom, and as fruit bearing tree it is one of the trees whose New Year we celebrate on the Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat.

Every year we await the first blooms, the kids arrive home with reports on the status of the trees, and it is something mentioned among friends and neighbors. Why? because it is truly a joyful sight, in the middle of the winter, when all the other plants are still sleeping, to see white and light pink blossoms dotting the hills! While the first trees bloomed several weeks ago, there are still many with closed buds, so I was able to capture some of this loveliness today to share with you. Granted, the trees are more beautiful when the sky is blue, so I’ll give it another try soon, but in the meantime, enjoy!

Did you know that Van Gogh’s famouse painting of blossoms is actually of almond blossoms? I think most people assume that it is cherry blossoms, but no, he was in the Meditteranean, so almond blossoms it was!

This lovely painting, Vincent Van Gogh, February1890, can be seen in the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, and I highly recommend a visit. The museum is amazing and filled with paintings we’ve never really seen……a truly wonderful experience for children as well.
You can easily stop off there on your way to visit Israel!
That mountain that I look at every single day (except when covered in clouds) is Mount Meron, the 2nd tallest mountain in Israel.
Ahhhh, lovely.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little glimpse of the almond trees in bloom, more to come hopefully! I am feeling so very fortunate to be able to step out my door and witness the true miracles of nature.