In Which Climate Does the Carob Tree Grow?
Carob is a Mediterranean tree that loves heat and light, is drought tolerant but sensitive to cold. It grows best in regions with cool but not cold winters and hot and dry summers. According to scientific sources, mature trees begin to be damaged at temperatures below –4 °C and can withstand up to –7 °C at most.
In this article, the climate requirements of carob; Under the headings of temperature limits, frost sensitivity, altitude and precipitation needs, we discuss it together with the climate data of the natural distribution areas in Turkey.
Carob and Mediterranean Climate
Carob is one of the characteristic plants of the Mediterranean climate. According to the comprehensive monograph published by IPGRI, carob is a long-lived, evergreen and heat-loving (thermophilic) tree that grows in habitats with a temperate Mediterranean climate. It grows well in warm temperate and subtropical regions, also tolerating hot and humid coastal areas (Batlle and Tous, 1997).
In the monograph, suitable areas for carob are defined as follows: The subtropical Mediterranean climate, with cool but not cold winters, warm springs, and hot, dry summers. Such climates occur between about 30° and 45° latitudes in the northern hemisphere (Mediterranean basin, California and Arizona), and between 30° and 40° latitudes in the southern hemisphere (Australia, South Africa and Chile).
Carob is likened to an orange in terms of its temperature requirements; however, it withstands poorer soils and needs much less water. In the same source, it is stated that carob is more sensitive than olives, and only pistachios surpass it in resistance to dry environments (Batlle and Tous, 1997). Dahmani et al. also describe the species as a plant that loves heat, drought and light (thermophile, xerophil and heliophile).
In Turkey, carob, in Günal's words, is a maquis element with high temperature and light demand, drought resistant and frost sensitive. Due to these features, temperature is the most important ecological factor determining the spread of the species.
Temperature Requirements and Limits
The most decisive of carob's climatic requirements is temperature. Both its ability to withstand extreme heat in summer and its sensitivity to winter cold determine where the tree can be grown.
| By | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Onset of damage on mature wood | Below –4 °C | Batlle and Tous, 1997 |
| Lowest tolerable winter temperature | Approx. –7 °C | Batlle and Tous, 1997 |
| Bearable summer temperature | 40 °C and hot dry winds | Batlle and Tous, 1997 |
| Time required for pod ripening | 5,000–6,000 hours above 9 °C | Batlle and Tous, 1997 |
| The temperature at which vegetative growth slows down | Below 10 °C | Batlle and Tous, 1997 |
| Annual average temperature of distribution areas in Turkey | Above 17 °C (mostly 17–19 °C) | Günal, 1998 |
| The average of the coldest month in the distribution areas in Turkey | Above 7 °C | Günal, 1998 |
According to the IPGRI monograph, adult carob trees do not require winter chilling (need for chilling). This is an important point where carob differs from trees such as cherries or apples, which need to be exposed to cold for a certain period of time for winter rest. In fact, it is reported that carob can grow in very hot places and under suitable conditions in winter or summer without any rest.
In the investor guide of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, it is stated that mature trees begin to be damaged at low temperatures, and can withstand temperatures as low as -7 °C, summer temperatures of 40 °C and hot winds. In the same guide, it is stated that carob spreads more intensively in Mediterranean climates with not extremely hot summers, autumns without early frost and winters without extreme cold.
Temperature in Distribution Areas in Turkey
Günal's study on natural distribution areas in Turkey concretely shows the temperature conditions under which carob lives. According to this study, the average annual temperature in the distribution areas starting from Izmir and extending southward is above 17 °C; for example, it is given as 17.6 °C in Izmir, 18.3 °C in Antalya, and 19.7 °C in Anamur. In places such as Kaş and Iskenderun, this value reaches 20 °C.
Due to the sea effect, the average temperature of the coldest month remains above 7 °C; values such as 11.6 °C in Alanya and 11.8 °C in Anamur. The average of the hottest month is between 25-29 °C. In some years, summer temperatures exceed 40 °C and reach around 45 °C, while rarely drops to –10 °C are recorded in winter (Günal, 1998).
Frost Sensitivity
Frost is the most important climatic limiter of carob cultivation. In the monograph IPGRI, it is stated that frost sensitivity is a serious problem for this crop, frost damage depends on the temperature inside the garden and the physiological state of the trees. The tree can only withstand light frosts.
Young trees and seedlings are much more sensitive to frost. In the monograph, it is emphasized that young seedlings are easily damaged by frost and should be protected in frosty places; therefore, it is recommended that seedlings be planted in February or March after the risk of frost has passed. Julia Morton also states that young trees are damaged by frost, while mature trees can withstand up to about –6.7 °C and frost during flowering can prevent fruit set (Morton, 1987).
Limitation of the Spread of Frost in Turkey
Günal's study clearly shows how the number of frosty days draws the distribution limit of carob. The number of days when the temperature drops below 0 °C is around 6 days around İzmir, where the species begins to appear as arboreal, and reaches 10-12 days around Aydın, where it is introduced to the east along the Büyük Menderes Plain. The increase in the probability of frost as you go north and east in the Aegean prevents carob from going north of Izmir and spreading further east in the Büyük Menderes Plain.
On the Southern Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, the number of frosty days does not even reach 2-3 days, except for İçel, Adana and Antakya (5-7 days); for example, it is given as an average of 1 day a year in Alanya and 0.4 days in Anamur (Günal, 1998). These data also explain why carob is concentrated between Antalya and Silifke.
Difference in cold resistance between varieties
Cold resistance may also vary from variety to variety. In the IPGRI monograph, it is stated that the Portuguese variety 'Galhosa' seems to be more resistant to cold than 'Mulata', while the ungrafted local types known as "Bravia" in Andalusia are more tolerant than grafted varieties. It is also stated that rootstocks grown from seeds differ greatly in terms of growth strength and cold resistance.
Altitude: How many meters does carob grow?
Carob is usually a tree of low-lying areas close to the coast. According to the IPGRI monograph, the species is one of the most characteristic and dominant trees in the lower belt of the Mediterranean evergreen maquis (0–500 m, rarely up to 900 m). In the tree database of the World Agroforestry Centre, the growth figure of the species is given as 0–500 m and it is emphasized that frost is a serious risk (Orwa et al., 2009). Dahmani et al. also state that carob is mostly found in coastal areas below 500 m due to its sensitivity to winter cold, and that it can rise higher under suitable conditions.
In Turkey, carob rises higher than in neighboring countries. According to Günal, the levels at which the species spreads in our country are generally between 700-800 m above sea level. However, it is seen that it rises up to 800-1,000 m on mountain slopes open to humid winds, such as Durmuş Mountain, around Marmaris, and in the Aksu and Köprü Stream basins. Günal attributes the fact that the species, which generally stays at 300-500 m in Eastern Mediterranean countries, rises higher in our country to more suitable precipitation conditions as well as favorable temperature conditions.
The Ministry's guide also notes that carob grows up to 900 m in Antalya Beşkonak and Düzlerözü regions, 500 m in Anamur, 550 m in Mersin's Tömük region, and natural carob areas up to 800-1,000 m above sea level have been identified in our country.
An important distinction should be made here: The highest altitude at which a species can be seen naturally does not mean that an economical garden can be established at that altitude. As the altitude increases, the risk of frost increases and the temperature accumulation required for maturation decreases. For this reason, when choosing a place for a commercial garden, the frost history and winter minimum temperatures of that point should be taken into account rather than altitude.
Need for Precipitation
Carob is extremely drought tolerant; however, there is an important difference between "being able to live without water" and "yielding good crops".
- According to the IPGRI monograph, carob can live without irrigation as a xerophyte well adapted to arid environments, with an average annual rainfall of 250–500 mm.
- In the same source, it is stated that at least 500-550 mm of precipitation is required per year for the product at the commercial level, and 350 mm of precipitation per year is considered sufficient for fruit set.
- Some supplemental irrigation is required when rainfall falls below 400 mm (Batlle and Tous, 1997).
- In the ministry guide, it is stated that the average annual water requirement of the tree is 500-600 mm of precipitation.
Natural distribution areas in Turkey receive precipitation above these values. According to Günal, the average annual precipitation in these areas is generally over 600 mm; It exceeds 600–700 mm around Izmir and Kuşadası, and 1,000 mm between Marmaris and Anamur (e.g. Antalya 1,073 mm, Alanya 1,102 mm). Between Mersin and Iskenderun, which is in the rain shadow of the Taşeli Plateau, the values are around 600-800 mm.
The distribution of precipitation is at least as important as its amount. More than half of the annual precipitation in the distribution areas of carob falls in winter; the share of summer precipitation is less than 2 percent on the Aegean coast and in the Mediterranean part up to Silifke (Günal, 1998). In short, carob has adapted to a climate with abundant rainfall in winter and almost no rainfall in summer. We discuss drought resistance mechanisms and the effect of irrigation on yield in detail in our article "Irrigation and Drought Tolerance in Carob Tree".
Wind, Humidity and Other Climate Factors
Apart from temperature and rainfall, some climatic factors also affect the development and product of carob. The main points conveyed in the IPGRI monograph are:
| Strong wind | It can break branches of adult trees, shed pods and damage young trees. |
| Autumn rains | Since it coincides with the flowering period, it can inhibit pollination and reduce fruit set. |
| High humidity in spring | It promotes powdery mildew (Oidium) disease on leaves and pods. |
The ministry's guide also draws attention to the importance of temperature, light and air circulation for the physical development of the tree and increasing the fruit set rate. It is stated in Günal's study that the breeze winds that are effective in coastal areas reduce evaporation during the day and prevent excessive increase in humidity at night.
Suitable Climate Zone for Carob in Turkey
According to the Ministry's guide, the natural distribution of carob in our country starts from the Urla-Karaburun peninsula of Izmir and extends to the Syrian border in Hatay, following the Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines. This spread proceeds in a 1-2 km strip parallel to the sea; in some places, it is inserted 90 km from the coast along the valleys.
In the evaluation made by Şahin and Taşlıgil in terms of agricultural geography, it is emphasized that Turkey is among the world's leading carob producers and that the tree can produce crops in arid conditions thanks to its deep root system. In the Alanya Carob geographical indication certificate, it is stated that the plant is sensitive to frost, but this risk is minimized thanks to Alanya's mild winters (Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, 2025).
When this information is evaluated together, it can be said that the most suitable areas for carob in Turkey are the southern Aegean and Mediterranean coastal belts, where the number of frosty days is very low. As you go inland and higher, the risk of frost increases and the area where the tree can be grown economically narrows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is carob cold resistant? No, carob is a cold-sensitive tree. According to scientific sources, mature trees begin to be damaged below –4 °C and can withstand up to –7 °C at most. Young saplings are much more sensitive.
How many meters does carob grow? It is mostly seen between 0-500 m throughout the Mediterranean. It is generally distributed up to 700-800 m in Turkey and up to 800-1,000 m on slopes open to humid winds.
How much rainfall does carob require to grow? The tree can live with 250–500 mm of rainfall; however, it is reported that at least 500–550 mm of rainfall or complementary irrigation is required per year for commercial crops.
Can carob be grown inland? Inland regions with harsh winters and frequent frosts are not suitable for carob. The tree develops best in the coastal belt, where the number of frosty days is very low.
Climate Heritage of the Mediterranean with Carob Türkiye
The climatic requirements of carob explain why this tree is identified with the southern coast of Turkey. Hot and dry summers and warm and rainy winters are the main factors that determine the character of carob grown on our Mediterranean coast.
At Carob Türkiye, we supply carob fruit, crumbs, flour/powder, kernel and extract. For general information on where carob grows What is Carob? Where Does It Grow? You can read our article, our products Carob Fruit and Our Products You can review it on the pages. For your wholesale and export requests Contact Now You can contact us on our page.
Domestic resources
Günal, N., "Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.)' s Geographical Distribution, Ecological and Floristic Characteristics in Turkey", Marmara Geographical Journal, Issue 2, pp. 60–74, 1998. dergipark.
org. en/ en/ pub/ marucog/ article/ 560542 Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Forestry, "Carob Orchard Facility Project Feasibility Report and Investor Guide", Ankara, 2020. Eskisehir.
agriculture. gov. en/ DocumentsArchive/ Yat%C4%B1r%C4%B... Şahin, G., Taşlıgil, N., "Agricultural Geography Analysis of Carob Tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) from Turkey", Turkish Journal of Agriculture – Food Science and Technology, 4(12), 1192–1200, 2016. doi.
org/ 10. 24925/ turjaf. v4i12. 1192- 1200. 979 Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, "Alanya Carob / Alanya Carob – Mahreç Sign, Registration No: 1705", 2025. ci.
turkpatent. gov. en/ Files/ GeographicalSigns/ 7bbe4a8b- 399… Foreign sources
Batlle, I., Tous, J., "Carob tree. Ceratonia siliqua L. Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 17", Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Gatersleben / International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome, 1997. ISBN 92-9043-328-X. hdl.
handle. net/ 10568/ 104277 Dahmani, W., Elaouni, N., Abousalim, A., Akissi, Z. L. E., Legssyer, A., Ziyyat, A., Sahpaz, S., "Exploring Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.): A Comprehensive Assessment of Its Characteristics, Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemical Aspects, and Pharmacological Activities", Plants, 12(18), 3303, 2023. doi.
org/ 10. 3390/ plants12183303 Morton, J. F., "Carob", Fruits of Warm Climates, Miami, 1987. Growables.
org/ information/ TropicalFruit/ CarobMorton. htm Orwa, C., Mutua, A., Kindt, R., Jamnadass, R., Simons, A., "Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide, version 4.0 – Ceratonia siliqua", World Agroforestry Centre, 2009. apps.
Scientific Resourcesworldagroforestry. org/ treedb2/ AFTPDFS/ Ceratonia_sili...
