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carob

Member profile details

PLANT PROFILE SHEET PDF

http://leafnetworkaz.org:80/resources/PLANT%20PROFILES/Carob_profile.pdf

IDENTIFICATION

Common Name

carob

Photo #1

Scientific Name

Ceratonia siliqua L.

Family

Fabaceae

Spanish Name

algarrobo

Species Description

Spreading tree with broad, semi-spherical crown. Trunk with brown-grey, rough bark, sturdy. Leaves alternate, pinnate, terminal leaflet sometimes present. Dioecious, though some hermaphrodite; male trees do not produce fruit. Flowers in autumn with numerous, small, catkins borne on spurs of old wood, arranged in spiral along inflorescence axis. Elongated, leguminous pods straight or curved, take a year to develop. Ripe pods eventually fall to the ground.

NATURAL / CULTURAL HISTORY

AZ Native or Introduced

Introduced to Arizona

Natural Range

Carob's wild relative, Ceratonia oreothaum, is native to the greater Mediterranean region.

Natural Habitat

Adapted to a mild Mediterranean climate.

Cultural-Historic Notes

Carob is though to have originated in the eastern Mediterranean basin, where Romans domesticated it from the wild relative Ceratonia oreothauma. Carob was grown throughout the Mediterranean, with cultivation peaking during the early Islamic period (approx. 600 AD).

GROWTH FORM & RATE

Growth Form

Tree

Tree or Understory

Tree

Other Growth Characteristics

Evergreen

Growth Rate

Moderate

Canopy Diameter

25 feet

Tree Height

25 feet

Lifespan

100+ years

Years to Bearing, if nursery tree is 1-2 years old; grafted

6-7 years

Chill Hours

None required

Freeze Tolerance

Carob trees are hardy to about 20 degrees F and only suited for desert regions in Arizona.

Site, Micro-Climate, and Growing Considerations

Sunny areas with good spacing (30 feet)

Appropriate Arizona Elevation Categories

MID DESERT: Tucson, Ajo, Safford, Casa Grande - USDA Zones 9a-9b (20-30ºF)
LOW DESERT: Phoenix, Lake Havasu City, Yuma - USDA Zones 9b-10a (25-35ºF)

USDA Interactive Plant Zone Map for Arizona

USDA Interactive Plant Zone Map for Arizona

WATER

Relative Plant Water Use

Low: 10-20 inches / year
Medium: 20-35 inches / year

Post-Establishment Irrigation Needs

None
1 X Month in Growing Season

Notes on Species-Specific Water Needs

Carob trees are adapted to arid regions and are very drought tolerant. Once established, they can grow without supplemental irrigation in areas receiving 10-20 or more inches of rainfall per year, with 15 or so inches required for fruit-set, and higher yields above 20 inches of rainfall.

CARE

Pollination

Carob trees are typically dioecious, with separate male and female trees. They are both wind and insect pollinated. Male or hermaphrodite trees can be inter-planted or limbs can be grafted onto female trees for pollination.

Soils

Carob trees can withstand a wide range of soil types and are tolerant of rocky, poor soils, and to saline soils. They do not grow well on poorly drained soils.

Propagation

Propagate carob trees using seed and grafting. Seeds will germinate easily when fresh, but require scarification when dried. Young seedlings are very frost sensitive. Cuttings are difficult to root. Grafting onto seedling rootstock is very common for propagating cultivars.

Pruning Notes

Mature trees may require a light pruning every 3-4 years.

HARVEST & PROCESSING

Edible Parts

Carob pods are used as a dark, naturally sweet, rich and flavorful chocolate substitute. The pods are ground or pounded into a fine powder, which is added to cold or heated milk for drinking or used in baking, syrups and beverages. The carob beans were at one time used for the carat weight unit for weighing gemstones.

Harvest Months

September
October
November

Harvest and Processing Guide

Harvest and Processing Guide

LEAF is under the fiduciary stewardship of the Arizona Community Tree Council, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

PO Box 65122, Phoenix, Arizona 85082-5122

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

This website and other LEAF Network products shown here was prepared under the Diverse Urban Forest grant, WCG 14-501, administered by the Arizona Community Tree Council. Funds for this project were provided by the Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program administered through Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management – Urban and Community Forestry Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. In accordance with Federal law and USDA policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability (Not all prohibited basis applies to all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.