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Casuarina equisetifolia

Casuarina equisetifolia
Australian Pine

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Reserved for mild climates the Casuarina is a tree with extremely fine foliage, reminiscent of that of Horsetails. With phenomenal growth, it forms large hedges by the sea, unaffected by sea spray and tolerant of salty soils. Its silhouette resembles that of a Pine from a distance, with its large, thin, trailing branches swaying in the wind, which it handles very well. Apart from its sensitivity to frost at around -7°C (19.4 °F), this indestructible tree adapts to all conditions. However, it prefers a sunny exposure.
Height at maturity
12 m
Spread at maturity
8 m
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -6°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil
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Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to May
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Flowering time March to April
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Description

Casuarina equisetifolia is a tree native to Australia and Southeast Asia particularly suited to coastal areas, due to its resistance to wind and sea spray. With extremely rapid growth, it forms a tall, slender tree, with a grey trunk, and fine branches, which from a distance resemble certain Pines. Not very hardy, it only tolerates winters in the warmest areas. Capable of growing in most well-drained soils, even sandy soils, it proves very resistant to drought once well-rooted. Its architectural silhouette is truly aesthetic in southern gardens.

The Casuarina belongs to the fairly obscure family of the Casuarinaceae, which only includes 4 genera of trees or bushes with a Horsetail-like appearance (scientific name: Equisetum). C. equisetifolia is a medium to large-sized tree with very fine foliage resembling Horsetail stems. It is native to Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines...), the Maldives, and Australia, where it often grows by the seaside, on beaches. Despite its very rapid growth, it forms a very hard wood, called ironwood, used as firewood or charcoal by local populations. In these countries, it can reach heights of up to 35 m (114 ft 10 in).

In our climates the height reaches between 12 and 18 m, mainly because it always runs the risk of freezing during exceptional winters. However, this should not discourage planting it, as its growth is exceptionally fast. Regularly watered at the beginning, it can grow up to 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) per year during the first 3 or 4 years of planting! It forms a trunk with a dark grey, decorative bark, which then divides into a few large main branches carrying the typical smaller branches. These branches are made up of extremely thin segments (only 2 mm (0.1 in) thick and up to 9 mm (0.4 in) long), nested within each other. The leaves are completely shrunk, reduced to simple tiny scales (1 mm (0 in)), grouped in whorls of 4 at each branch joint. What is thought to be the foliage is actually made up of the tree's stems. Their fineness gives it a very light appearance, reminiscent of certain conifers, hence its common name of Australian Pine.
This physiological characteristic gives it a truly elegant habit, with an erect yet semi-weeping aspect, as the flexible branches cascade downwards at their tips. It is generally twice as tall as it is wide, but its appearance can be quite varied. The branches take on a somewhat dull, greyish green, but this does not detract from the overall beauty of the plant. Its architectural silhouette is recognizable and instantly brings an exotic touch to the garden. The spring flowering is relatively insignificant, consisting of male flowers that turn cream to brown, and reddish female flowers. The brown-green fruits have the shape of small pine cones and contain small winged seeds, dispersed by the wind.
The Australian Pine grows in soils of various chemical compositions, its roots contain nodules capable of fixing nitrogen from the air thanks to bacteria (like Legumes), making it a pioneer plant. It is also capable of growing in sand close to the ocean, trapping salt in its "leaves" which then fall to the ground. They then form a litter that prevents the growth of other plants. Capable of growing in very poor sandy soil, it also withstands wind and sea spray. It can tolerate very severe pruning. In conclusion, it only dislikes frost, which can cause its death from -5°C (23 °F) to -7°C (19.4 °F).

Symbolic of tropical beaches, the Casuarina leaves its typical silhouette on the landscapes of warm countries. In warm gardens it can be associated with other tender plants to create an incredibly exotic scene. The Syagrus romanzoffiana, a palm tree resembling a coconut palm with its slender and gracefully curved fronds, will perfectly set the ambiance. The pink pompoms of the Calliandra surinamensis, which bloom all summer will also beautifully accompany these evocative plants.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 12 m
Spread at maturity 8 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate very fast

Flowering

Flower colour brown/bronze
Flowering time March to April

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Casuarina

Species

equisetifolia

Family

Casuarinaceae

Other common names

Australian Pine

Origin

Australia

Product reference18485

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Planting and care

Casuarina is best planted in spring so that it has time to develop its root system before winter. It is a less than hardy tree that can only be planted in the mildest areas as it freezes from around -7°C (19.4 °F) (in 1985, almost all the plants froze on the French Riviera). Apart from this cold sensitivity, it is a resilient tree, adapting to all types of soil, even poor, sandy or salty soil, by the seaside. The wind does not harm it much.
It simply needs to be planted in the sun and regularly watered for the first two years. It will then outgrow any other tree (including Mimosa and Eucalyptus) in terms of growth speed. Once well-rooted, it requires no care.
It is important to plant it far from drains, septic tanks or any other source of moisture, as its very fine roots will manage to infiltrate even the smallest crevice, making it difficult to remove, because its roots are as hard as its wood.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to May

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Border, Free-standing, Hedge
Hardiness Hardy down to -6°C (USDA zone 9a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Well-drained soil.

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Dry soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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