What is the significance of the blossoming of the withered almond tree in "The Canterville Ghost?"

In Chapter Six of "The Canterville Ghost," one of the twins notices that the withered almond tree has suddenly started to blossom. This event happens shortly after Virginia returns to her family and explains that she has been with the ghost: 

He is dead and you must come and see him. He was very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had done.

In this context, the withered almond tree functions as a symbol of the ghost's redemption. Before, the ghost was not apologetic about his crimes, like the murder of his wife (hence the image of a dying, withered tree). Instead, he was content to roam the corridors of Canterville Chase, terrorising its residents. But, once the Otis family moved in, the ghost was unable to scare them and he lost his sense of purpose. A meeting with Virginia, in Chapter Five, however, set the ghost's mind to redemption and the prospect of eternal rest in the Garden of Death.

Once the ghost had said sorry to God, he was forgiven and accepted into the afterlife. The blossoming of the tree is thus symbolic of this important moment and of the ghost's reformation, more generally.