Forest Oak
Casuarina torulosa

Family: Casuarinaceae

What it is like

Casuarina torulosa is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 15

Where it is found

Coastal eucalyptus forests and on moist fertile soils in hilly eucalyptus forests. Experiences frost and snow in the south of its range.

Australia - New South Wales, Queensland.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

Wood - tough, durable. Used for veneer and joinery, it is also a very good fuel.

Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

Requires a well-drained moisture-retentive soil in full sun. Succeeds in most soils and aspects in Australian gardens. Tolerates temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens although this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters. It experiences frost and snow in parts of its native range and so some provenances should succeed outdoors at least in the mildest areas of the country. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. A dioecious species, at least one male plant is required for every 5 - 6 females in order to produce seed. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is suckering with new plants from underground runners away from the plant .

Propagating it: Seed - sow late winter to early summer in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Allocasuarina torulosa.