The current status of Ceratonia Siliqua L. in the Maltese Islands : its history, distribution, utilisation, threats, legal protection, planning policy and its impacts on Maltese language, society and culture

Abstract

Ceratonia siliqua L is the most widespread tree in the Maltese Archipelago. It is an indicator of whether the countryside is bare and desolate or if the landscape is relatively well wooded. The cat'ob is more common on the main island of Malta than on the other two islands of Gozo and Comino. It is usually the dominant tree, with clusters of several carobs forming a type of maquis that is sometimes mixed with Olea europaea L. and several understorey species common to the Mediterranean maquis. These dusters result from past human agricultural planting. Today such clusters form semi-natural woodland foci which serve important ecological functions. The tree grows in several forms. In the wild and anthropogenic garrigue, its remains a low windswept shrub, but in sheltered valleys it grows into a large tree of up to 10 metres high. The carob has traditionally been used as a fodder crop, with its legumes (pods) collected immediately after the feast of Santa Maria, (August 15). Lenten sweets known as "Karamelli" were made of the pods' pulp. The humus created by the litterfall is used a potting medium. In times of food shortage, as happened during the Second World War, the pods had greatly increased market value. The tree also supplied the country with fire wood. Current utilisation is more connected to environmental functions offered by mature trees. It is planted as an ornamental and in afforestation projects. In the Maltese Islands, which have historically been nearly totally denuded of trees, the tree's ecological value increases, since carobs are the most mature and widespread trees. On the local farming unit scale, the tree is threatened by the hatred often shown by farmers to all non-fruit producing trees. Currently carobs are not protected under Maltese law, although during the inter-war period they where strictly protected. The proposed Forest and Trees Protection Regulations will include the tree as one of the protected indigenous species. The Planning Authority'S has a policy to protect carobs in all rural and urban public areas and have them included in afforestation projects. The carob is also part of the local linguistic idiom. It is associated with longevity and there is a general mis-conception as to the slow growth of the tree which young trees prove wrong, especially when planted in good well drained soil. The tree is an integral feature of the Maltese countryside and its preservation and greater utilisation for both economic and environmental reasons should be further encouraged.