Hortiforum

General Info – Carob, St Johns Bread, Locust Tree

Native to the Mediterranean and prized for both its ornamental beauty and culinary versatility, the Carob stands out as an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a resilient, edible tree. Carob trees are cold hardy to most winters and remain evergreen throughout cold periods, providing attractive foliage across the year. Requiring only minimal rainfall, they are highly suitable for drought-prone climates, maintaining their ornamental appeal throughout droughts although fruiting is somewhat reduced. Carob are very hardy to alkaline soils and exhibit moderate tolerance to wind and salt, making them suitable for conditions where many other plants struggle. With their enduring nature and adaptability, Carob trees share similarities with other hardy Mediterranean evergreens like Olives.
Seedling-grown Carob plants are dioecious, necessitating the presence of both male and female plants for pollination. However, self-pollinating varieties are available on grafted plants, offering the added advantage of early fruiting. Belonging to the Fabaceae or Legume family, together with the tropical Tamarind, dried Carob pods are ground into a powder that serves as a versatile ingredient in baking and cooking, often used as a chocolate substitute. Carob boasts a distinctive nutty, earthy, and sweet flavour with a subtle hint of chocolate. While opinions on Carob as a chocolate alternative may vary, the fruits should be appreciated for their unique flavour, contributing to the creation of unique, flavourful syrups, drinks, and baked goods.
Carob trees are cultivated in public spaces for their ornamental growth, developing into either a spreading, rounded tree reaching up to 16 metres in height or a dense shrub offering effective screening. The foliage of Carob consists of dark green, glossy leaflets that provide an attractive contrast against the dark trunk, which can be easily sculpted to achieve a desired shape. Whether incorporated into a Mediterranean-themed garden or chosen as a drought-resistant, attractive, low-maintenance plant, Carob proves to be an invaluable addition to various landscapes.

Plant Profile/Properties