Prune a Carob: [Importance, Time, Considerations and Steps]

The carob is a tree that can reach up to 10 meters in height and that can be very useful from its leaves to its wood.

Its main characteristics suggest that it is a tree with special requirements to be able to maintain itself over time.

Among these requirements , the climate (Mediterranean) and pruning , which are central to improving its useful life , can be appreciated in a particular way .

In this last point, we can tell you that pruning is an element that, if used well, will make your plant look beautiful and stay healthy. For this reason, it is essential that you consider some important aspects when pruning it, so we will provide you with some details about it.

Why prune a carob tree?

The carob tree is usually a fast growing tree , being necessary to maintain an adequate supervision to improve its living conditions. In general, it is said that it is a tree that does not need to be pruned regularly , but that it may require it in the long term.

This is because it can have erratic branch growths or they can dry out over time and could cause problems for the tree. That is why pruning is used as a strategy to eliminate bad stems and branches that are billed.

In addition, pruning helps the tree maintain a good shape , favoring its appearance.

When is it better to prune the carob tree?

In this way, the tree can be allowed to rest and recover from all this process in the best possible way and without generating stress. On the other hand, if we talk about the time indicated to prune a carob tree according to its age, it is preferable to wait until it is at least 5 years old.

Keep in mind that it is necessary to wait for the tree to develop well and to mature before pruning it. Likewise, this guarantees that you can do a much more complete job, focused on the well-being of the plant and obtaining good results after pruning.

What tools should we use to prune a carob tree?

It is important to note that it is always necessary to use special gardening tools for pruning large, strong trees . This includes hand saws, chainsaws, and garden shears for thinner branches. 

On the other hand, ensure that they are clean before pruning, preventing the plant from being affected. Consider that pruning tools can contain microorganisms and bacteria that could harm your plant if they come into contact with it.

What should we take into account when pruning a carob tree?

In general, the carob tree does not require constant pruning, so it is suggested that it be done at defined intervals, as appropriate.

It is best to do a pruning to clean the tree every 2 years and a much deeper pruning within 5 to 7 years .

This last pruning is convenient to carry out to avoid that the plant is filled with damaged stems or that can cause problems to the shape of the tree. It is essential that you keep in mind that this tree always bears fruit in the same places, being necessary to keep them clean.

In the same way, this tree promotes the growth of its flowers right in the nodes of its branches, which makes a fruiting pruning unnecessary. This type of pruning is very common in trees after harvesting to strengthen their branches.

However, the carob tree does not have this need, so you can harvest your harvest without worrying, unless it is in its pruning period.

How to prune a carob without damaging the tree?

There are some points that you should keep in mind to avoid damaging your carob tree. First, the tools you use for pruning should be well sharp and clean, so that you avoid having to make a lot of clumsy cuts. 

In the same way, it is essential that you do not make very large or abrupt cuts , since the plant would be exposed to external damage. You should also take care of the areas in which the plant blooms and gives life to its fruits, since they will always be the same places and should not be damaged.

Try to develop a pruning schedule that allows you to visualize the appropriate times for it in the long term. As we have indicated before, it is useful to do a superficial pruning every 2 years and a much deeper one every 5 to 7 years.