Photo: Taken by Carsten Niehaus (user:Lumbar)., CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Tree
Carob: when and how to prune
Ceratonia siliqua
Carob is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March |
| Flowering | September–November |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Carob: when to prune it?
In March, before it goes back outside. It grows slowly, so pruning is rarely needed.
What else to prune in those months? March
Carob: how to prune it?
- Remove dead, weak and crossing branches.
- Shorten overlong branches to just above a leaf, to keep the crown compact and balanced.
- For a standard, gradually remove the lowest side branches.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
- Never remove more than about a quarter of the crown at once. Better a little every year.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in March can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Flowers and pods grow on old wood, even on the trunk: do not saw off thick, old branches if you are hoping for flowers.
Nearby: related pruning guides
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.