Mediterranean specimens

Ceratonia siliqua: the carob tree, a time-honoured feature of the Mediterranean landscape

The Carob, known as carob o rock thrush In eastern Spain, it is one of the most iconic and ancient trees of the Mediterranean landscape. Cultivated for over 4,000 years by the Phoenician, Greek and Roman civilisations, the carob tree has for centuries been a mainstay of the rural economy of the western Mediterranean thanks to its fruit, the carob pod, traditionally used as livestock feed and now highly valued by the food and cosmetics industries. Its unmistakable silhouette, with a twisted trunk and dense, dark green evergreen crown, defines the dry landscape of eastern Spain. In MedifloraWe offer a range of Ceratonia siliqua trees, from young saplings to century-old specimens with sculptural trunks, ideal for landscaping projects seeking authentic Mediterranean character and water sustainability.

Botanical characteristics of the carob tree

• Scientific name: Ceratonia siliqua, family Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
• Size: an evergreen tree 5 to 15 metres tall, with a broad, rounded and dense crown that provides exceptional shade
• Trunk: thick and gnarled with age, with rough, cracked dark-grey bark, which in century-old specimens takes on sculptural forms of great beauty
• Sheets: pinnate compounds with 2–5 pairs of leathery leaflets, glossy dark green on the upper surface and paler on the underside
• Flowering: small reddish flowers clustered in short spikes that sprout directly from the trunk and main branches in autumn
• Fruit: the carob, a leathery pod 10–20 cm long, dark brown when ripe, with sweet pulp rich in sugars and uniform seeds (carobs)
• Resistance: exceptional tolerance to extreme drought, intense heat, and poor, calcareous soils; withstands frosts down to -7°C
• Longevity: can live for over 500 years, with documented examples of trees over a thousand years old in the Mediterranean

Applications in landscaping and professional projects

The carob tree is of exceptional value to the sustainable and Mediterranean landscaping. In xerophytic and water-efficient gardens… the carob tree is a key feature: once established, it requires no watering whatsoever, retains its green foliage all year round and provides dense, cool shade even in the hottest summers. The urban planning projects It is used in parks, central reservations and roundabouts in semi-arid areas where other ornamental trees would fail without constant watering. In private gardens in the Mediterranean style, the century-old specimens with twisted trunks are displayed as focal sculptural pieces of inestimable aesthetic value, comparable to century-old olive trees but with the added advantage of retaining their leaves all year round. The hotels and restaurants Mediterranean cuisine is valued as a defining feature of the landscape that links the area to its culinary and cultural traditions.

The carob tree in the circular economy

The carob fruit has seen a significant rise in economic value in recent decades. The carob gum (E-410), extracted from the seeds, is a natural food additive in high demand within the industry. The pulp is used to produce chocolate substitutes, gluten-free flours and food supplements. The seeds, which are remarkably uniform in weight, were the origin of the carat unit of measurement used in jewellery. This versatility in production adds a functional value to the carob tree that goes beyond its purely ornamental use.

Growing and care

The carob tree requires in full sun and well-drained soils, preferably calcareous. It is the perfect tree for dry, poor soils where other species do not thrive. It requires no watering once established. Pruning is minimal: occasional removal of low-hanging or dead branches. Its only requirements are to avoid waterlogged soils and to protect young trees from severe frosts during their early years.

Discover more options at the Mediterranean specimens catalogue, such as Ficus carica y Punica granatum. Combines with centenary olive trees for the perfect dryland landscape and palms to compare volumes. To supply for public works, ask our team for a quote.