Why almonds, of all trees?

Why almonds? There is no evidence that Aaron’s rod was made of almond wood. Nor did Hebrew have the expression, “You’re driving me nuts!” However, the word for “almond” (שָׁקֵד [šākēd]) is derived from the same root as the verb for “keep watch, be awake, be vigilant” (שקד). This is because the almond tree is “watchful/ awake” in the sense that it is the first tree to blossom every year while other trees continue their winter slumber. Now we can understand, for example, God’s object lesson to young Jeremiah, which otherwise does not make sense in English: “ ‘What do you see, Jeremiah?’ ‘I see the branch of an almond tree [שָׁקֵד],’ I replied. The LORD said to me, ‘You have seen correctly, for I am watching [participle of שקד] to see that my word is fulfilled’ ” (Jer 1:11-12).—Roy Gane, in Devotions on the Hebrew Bible, 31