Carob Tree and Monumental Trees
Carob is one of the long-lived trees of the Mediterranean. An old carob tree, with its thick, gnarled trunk and broad crown, stands in place for generations in village squares, on the side of old roads and on field borders. Some of these trees are seen as "monumental trees" due to their age, size and cultural significance; One of the most well-known examples of this is that a carob tree in Malta is believed to be over a thousand years old.
In this article, we discuss the lifespan of the carob tree, the concept of monumental trees and the registration process in Turkey, examples of monumental carob in Malta, Sicily, and Spain, the challenges of determining the age of old trees, and why these trees should be protected.
A long-lived Mediterranean tree
Carob is a Mediterranean tree that has adapted to arid conditions with evergreen, thick and leathery leaves. As highlighted in the Turkish press, it is long-lived and highly resistant to drought and harsh climatic conditions. When these two characteristics are combined, it is not surprising that carob trees can remain in the same place for centuries.
There is no definite limit in the sources as to how long the tree can live. A tree in Malta is estimated to be a thousand years old, and another in Sicily is estimated to be about 900 years old. These ages are based on estimates, not measurements; in addition, the productive life of the tree and its biological life should be considered separately from each other.
In terms of economic life, carob is a long-term tree. According to the news regarding the investor guide prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in 2020, the project life for a sample carob orchard is foreseen as 45 years. This is a period taken as a basis in a commercial garden planning; it should not be forgotten that the tree can biologically live much longer than this.
What is a Monumental Tree?
According to the definition conveyed in the monumental trees booklet of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality dated 2021, a monumental tree; It is a tree that significantly exceeds the usual dimensions of its species in terms of height, trunk circumference or diameter, can connect generations with its natural life, and has cultural, historical or folkloric importance. Registered monumental trees are considered in four groups:
- Dimensional: Trees that have grown to extraordinary sizes for their species or the conditions in which they grow
- Historical: Trees that have witnessed a historical event or person
- Folkloric: Trees that have a special place in local traditions or have witnessed an important local event
- Mystic: Trees respected by the people due to a religious belief
In Turkey, monumental trees are registered as natural assets and this work is carried out by the General Directorate for the Protection of Natural Assets. According to news reports dated June 2023, the number of monumental trees in Turkey reached 10,506 with the registration of 53 more trees that year (Sözcü/DHA, 2023). In scientific studies, the monumental nature of the tree can also be assessed by comparing it with a minimum monumental score determined by the species (Yaman & Zaman, 2022).
Malta's "Old Carob": Il-Ħarruba Xwejħa
One of the first examples that comes to mind when it comes to carob and monumental trees in the Mediterranean is Malta. Located in the Xemxija region of Malta, on the old Roman road and just ahead of the beekeeping ruins of the Roman period, this tree is known locally as "Il-Ħarruba Xwejħa" (Old Carob).
According to an article published in GuideMeMalta in 2025, the tree has a trunk circumference of 7.25 meters and is believed to be over a thousand years old. Another article published on the same site in 2019 states that Malta's most famous tree is this carob, which is estimated to be about a thousand years old. Today, the tree is one of the important stops on the Xemxija Heritage Trail.
It is important to underline a point here: sources do not report the age of the tree as the result of a precise scientific measurement, but as a common acceptance and estimate. This is true for many narratives about monumental trees, and it requires understanding why determining the age of old trees is difficult.
Monumental Carob Specimens in the Mediterranean
There are also carob trees outside Malta that are legally protected or considered monumental:
- Sicily (Italy): The Javanese Candelaro carob near Noto is about 10 meters tall and 10 meters around the trunk; its age is estimated at about 900 years. The tree has been included in Italy's national list of monumental trees (DM 5450 dated 19.12.2017).
- Spain: In La Xara, in the Marina Alta region, a carob estimated to be 300–400 years old remained in the center of the square (Plaça del Garrofer) that bears its name as the town grew.
- Australia: A carob in Mildura was classified as an important tree in 1992 due to its exceptional size and contribution to the landscape; in the 2003 measurement, its trunk circumference is 3.25 meters.
These examples show that carob can meet the criteria of monumental trees in terms of both age and size and cultural value.
Why can't the age of old trees be known with certainty?
The most well-known way to determine the age of a tree is to count the annual rings. However, it is out of the question to cut down a living and protected tree. Although it is possible to count rings by taking a thin sample of the trunk, in old trees the inside of the trunk is often rotten or hollowed out; this causes the oldest rings to disappear.
Another challenge with Mediterranean trees is that the growth rate varies greatly from year to year. It can be misleading to estimate the age of a tree that grows little in dry years and develops faster in wet years from the trunk circumference. As seen in the case of Malta, the same species can remain a low shrub in wind-exposed areas and grow into a much larger tree in sheltered valleys. Therefore, even if two trees have the same trunk circumference, their ages can be very different.
Therefore, when reading the age information about monumental trees, it is necessary to pay attention to the difference between the expressions "estimated", "believed" and "measured".
Carob Conservation Experience in Malta
Malta provides an interesting historical example of the legal protection of carob trees. According to the study presented by Charles F. Grech at the International Carob Symposium in 1996, carob trees were strictly protected in Malta between the two world wars. However, at the time of writing, the tree was not under legal protection.
The study also highlights a notable threat: farmers' negative attitude towards trees that do not bear fruit. In carob, male trees that do not bear fruit may be at risk of being cut down, as the trees are usually male or female. However, these trees play an important role for pollination and bees.
According to Grech, carob is a symbol of longevity in the Maltese language. This symbolic meaning also explains why old carob trees are embraced by society.
Elder Trees and Genetic Heritage
The value of old carob trees is not just cultural. These trees can carry genetic traits that have adapted to local conditions over centuries. Traits such as resistance to drought, disease, and local soil conditions can be valuable for future breeding efforts.
In the academic literature, the conservation of natural and semi-natural populations of carob is also an important issue. Talhouk et al. (2005) discuss the possibilities of conservation of relict semi-natural populations in Lebanon, Ramón-Laca and Mabberley (2004) discuss the ecological status of the species in the Mediterranean, and Mahdad and Gaouar (2023) discuss its origin and domestication.
The 2024 compilation by Martins-Loução et al. highlights a worrying trend: citing a 2017 study, it is reported that the area planted with carob in the Mediterranean has decreased by 65 percent in the 21st century. At a time when cultivated areas are decreasing, the conservation of old trees and natural populations becomes even more important.
Old Carob Trees in Turkey
In Turkey, carob grows naturally on the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts. According to the information in the press, the tree is found in natural forest areas in provinces such as Antalya (Manavgat), Mersin (Anamur) and Muğla (Datça). In these regions, it is possible to come across old carob trees in villages, on the edges of fields and near old roads.
Wild carob also has an important place in cultivation in Turkey. According to the Alanya Carob geographical indication certificate, wild carob seeds called "delice" are germinated in sapling production to obtain seedlings, and these seedlings, which are grafted and transformed into a cultivated variety. Old delice trees also constitute an important genetic resource in this respect.
So, is there a registered carob monumental tree in Turkey? We did not find this in the sources we scanned. The Antalya Metropolitan Municipality's booklet introducing 17 monumental trees includes juniper, cedar, plane tree and chestnut, but no carob. There is also no carob among the ten oldest monumental trees announced in 2023; The species is also not mentioned in the summary of the 2019 master's thesis on Hatay's monumental trees. This does not mean that there is no registered carob; however, we could not find a public list of the General Directorate for the Protection of Natural Assets by species.
An interesting example from Cyprus is the legal value given to the tree: According to Karadağ and Aylanç (2020), during the Ottoman rule, the carob tree was given a separate title deed in Cyprus. Documenting and measuring old carob trees and registering those deemed necessary as monumental trees is a valuable field of study in terms of passing on this heritage to future generations. Local governments, universities and non-governmental organizations can play an important role in this regard.
How to Take Care of Old Carob Trees?
The preservation of an old tree is not limited to official registration. Individuals and local communities can also contribute to this process:
- Recording the location, trunk circumference and photograph of the tree
- Compiling local narratives and historical information about the tree
- Avoiding construction and vehicle traffic that will compact the soil around the trunk and root
- Avoiding unconscious and heavy pruning, seeking expert opinion if necessary
- Remembering that male trees that do not bear fruit are also valuable for pollination and the ecosystem
- To notify the competent institutions for registration of extraordinary trees
Frequently Asked Questions
How many years does the carob tree live?
Carob is a long-lived tree. Different durations are given in the sources; some trees in Malta are believed to be over a thousand years old, but such ages are often based on estimation and not exact measurement.
What is the oldest carob tree in the world?
There is no definitively determined "oldest" tree information. "Il-Ħarruba Xwejħa" in the Xemxija region of Malta is one of the most well-known specimens, believed to be over a thousand years old.
How to identify a monumental tree?
It is evaluated according to dimensional, historical, folkloric and mystical criteria. Monumental trees are registered as natural assets in Turkey; As of 2023, the number of registered monumental trees is 10,506.
Is there a carob monumental tree in Turkey?
We did not come across a registered carob tree in the monumental tree lists and news we examined. Reporting extraordinarily old carob to the competent institutions can close this gap.
Should carob trees that do not bear fruit be cut down?
In carob, male trees do not bear fruit, but they are important for pollination and bees. Studies in Malta also highlight that a negative attitude towards trees that do not bear fruit is a threat.
The Long-Term Story of Carob with Carob Türkiye
Old carob trees are living witnesses to the long-standing relationship this species has established with Mediterranean people. The carob grown in commercial gardens today is the product of the same genetic heritage and the same tradition of patient cultivation.
At Carob Türkiye, we supply carob fruit, crumbs, flour/powder, seeds, and extracts. Our Products Our Products page, carob fruit Carob Fruit page. For general features of the tree What is Carob? You can read our article, for your wholesale and export requests. Contact Now You can contact us on our page.
Domestic resources
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