E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Elder-tree.
Sir John Maundeville, speaking of the Pool of Sil’oe, says, “Fast by is the elder-tree on which Judas hanged himself … when he sold and betrayed our Lord.” Shakespeare, in Love’s Labour’s Lost, v. 2, says, “Judas was hanged on an elder.” (See FIG-TREE.)
