Carob Tree
Ceratonia siliqua
Evergreen compact tree with glossy dark green foliage. Grows 5 to 7m high. A good shade tree or can be pruned as a hedge. The flesh of the seed pod is a source of chocolate substitute. Very drought resistant but sensitive to heavy frost. Grows best in well drained soil.
Long-lived, evergreen tree with a broad dense canopy has large, leathery, compound leaves. Pale greenish-purple flowers and produced in Summer with male and female flowers on seperate trees. Som varieties are however self-fertile. Abundant curved pods with shiny seeds embedded in a sweet, floury, edible pulp mature in early Winter.
Conditions: Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in the full sun. Tolerant of part-shade, light frost and dry periods once established.
For Best Results: Protect young trees from frost. Established trees require only infrequent but deep watering. Prune to shape as required when young. Mature trees need very little maintainance.
Planting Ideas and Uses
- Attractive shade tree for waterwise gardens.
- Eat fruit fresh or dry and grind into powder to use as a cocoa substitute.
- Clifford is the grafted and self fertile variety.
Details
Height: 5-8 metres
Width: 5-8 metres
Best in Full Sun.
Summer you will get flowers.
Prefers Well Drained Soil
It is very drought tolerant.
