Carob is somewhat well-known for its use as a substitute for chocolate, but far less familiar in its uses in urban forestry. Most people do not find carob to be a good substitute for chocolate, but perhaps a creative chef can find a better use for the edible pods.
This genus includes 2 species, but only one, C. siliqua, is used in horticulture. The carob tree is a tough and adaptable evergreen that will tolerate drought and harsh growing conditions without complaint. Most sources list it as hardy to zone 9 so it should not be damaged by ordinary winters, though British authors report that it will not tolerate the cold there, which suggests it could be damaged during exceptionally cold winters. Strangely, despite its problem-free reputation, many trees locally seem to have dieback in smaller branches, but I am unsure of the cause.
Other drawbacks include its aggressive root system, large pods, and a tendency to naturalize in some areas. I have not seen any seedlings locally, so perhaps our climate or soils are not to its liking. It reportedly does not tolerate waterlogged soils, and most of our natural areas are either extremely wet or extremely dry depending on the season. The male flowers reportedly have an objectionable odor, but again I have not noticed this.
Overall, carob is a solid tree that perhaps should be planted more widely. It could also have potential for edible uses but would require some culinary inventiveness to really be appreciated for this feature.
This genus includes 2 species, but only one, C. siliqua, is used in horticulture. The carob tree is a tough and adaptable evergreen that will tolerate drought and harsh growing conditions without complaint. Most sources list it as hardy to zone 9 so it should not be damaged by ordinary winters, though British authors report that it will not tolerate the cold there, which suggests it could be damaged during exceptionally cold winters. Strangely, despite its problem-free reputation, many trees locally seem to have dieback in smaller branches, but I am unsure of the cause.
Other drawbacks include its aggressive root system, large pods, and a tendency to naturalize in some areas. I have not seen any seedlings locally, so perhaps our climate or soils are not to its liking. It reportedly does not tolerate waterlogged soils, and most of our natural areas are either extremely wet or extremely dry depending on the season. The male flowers reportedly have an objectionable odor, but again I have not noticed this.
Overall, carob is a solid tree that perhaps should be planted more widely. It could also have potential for edible uses but would require some culinary inventiveness to really be appreciated for this feature.