Carob tree - Ceratonia siliqua

Description and Uses

Ceratonia siliqua (Carob tree) is a tropical tree from South East Europe. It is mainly grown for its fruit crops (long shelflife), but also fodder, fruit, fuel, ornamental, and timber can be produced. The crop is harvested by hand picking. It starts flowering after 6 - 8 years. The first yield will be 20 kg/tree/year but in its top season there will be a yield of 400 kg/tree/year. The "fruit", and "fruit peel" are edible. Medical uses include; "anti-bacterial", "anti-diarrhea", "anti-inflammatory", "anti-oxidant", and "Ulcers". The fruit contains sucrose (50% - 60%). There is carob oil extracted by steam distillation from the tree`s seed/nut yielding 3 - 15% oil. The tree`s wood is called Carob wood and has a density of 810 - 830 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is very slow, its energetic value is 4700 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is fast; it might be grown for firewood, see firewood rating in the rating bar. After 90 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Ceratonia siliqua has a lifespan of 500 years.

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Environmental limitations

The tree is 10 meters tall. It is very slow growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Ceratonia siliqua has a deep root-system and forms symbiotic relations with Glomus intraradices fungi (endo-mycorrhiza). It is able to fix nitrogen with Bradyrhizobiaceae bacteria. The tree`s flower-morphology is hermaphroditic and is pollinated by bees. Ceratonia siliqua is evergreen and not allelopathic and has no thorns.

Ceratonia siliqua thrives in an altitude of 0 to 500 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is -10°C and optimally between 10 - 40°C. The optimal rainfall is 525 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 250 - 550 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 6.0 - 9.0 in a soil texture of sand. To salt it is a bit tolerant to wind tolerant and to fire tolerant.

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Pests and Diseases

"Asphondylia enterolobii", "Ectomyelois ceratoniae", and "Zeuzera pyrina" are pests and Mildew carob, is a diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are orthodox and can be stored for 6 months. There are approximative 7000 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed: (1) Store harvested seeds dry at room temperature, (2) Soak the seeds overnight in warm water before sowing., (3) press the seeds twice its size in the soil soil.

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