Casuarina

Casuarina – Best Plants In New Zealand!

Growing trees and shrubs such as Casuarina in your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space.
• They can be used to provide shade, screening, and shelter.
• They attract birds.
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced.
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature.
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come

We have the largest variety of Casuarina, and the right one for your space. These plants have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them locally, and from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Casuarina, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Casuarina Questions

1. How fast do Casuarina grow?

Casuarina trees are fast-growing trees, with some species capable of growing up to 2 metres per year in ideal conditions. However, their growth rate will vary depending on the climate, soil conditions, and how well they are looked after.

Casuarina trees prefer warm climates with well-drained soil. They are also relatively tolerant of drought and salt spray.

Here are some tips for growing Casuarina trees:

• Choose a sunny spot with a well-drained soil.
• Water regularly, especially during the first growing season.
• Feed them in spring with a balanced fertilizer.
• Mulch around the tree to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Prune regularly to remove dead or diseased branches and to maintain the desired shape.

2. What is the lifespan of a Casuarina tree?

The lifespan of a casuarina tree varies depending on the species, but most casuarina trees live for 40 to 50 years. Some species, such as the Casuarina equisetifolia, can live for up to 100 years.

3. What is the English name for Casuarina?

The English name for casuarina is she-oak. It is a genus of about 60 species of trees and shrubs native to Australia, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. She-oaks are known for their feathery foliage and their ability to grow in poor soil conditions. They are often used as windbreaks and shade trees.

Other English names for casuarina include:

• Beefwood
• Horsetail tree
• Ironwood
• Whistling tree
• Australian pine

The name "she-oak" is thought to have come from the early European settlers in Australia, who mistook casuarina trees for oaks. However, Casuarina trees are not related to oaks. They are members of the Casuarinaceae family, which is a group of flowering plants that is native to the Southern Hemisphere.

4. What is Casuarina good for?

Casuarina trees have a variety of uses, including:

• Timber: Casuarina wood is dense and hard, making it ideal for a variety of uses, such as construction, furniture making, and boatbuilding.
• Food: The seeds of some casuarina species are edible and can be roasted or ground into flour.
• Medicine: The bark and leaves of some casuarina species have been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, diarrhea, and respiratory infections.
• Soil conservation: Casuarina trees have deep roots that help to prevent soil erosion.
• Wildlife habitat: Casuarina trees provide food and shelter for a variety of wildlife, including birds, insects, and mammals.

In addition to these specific uses, casuarina trees are also popular ornamental trees, due to their attractive appearance and ability to thrive in a variety of climates.

5. Is Casuarina a pine?

No, Casuarina is not a pine. It is a member of the Casuarinaceae family, which is a group of flowering plants that is native to the Southern Hemisphere. Pine trees are members of the Pinaceae family, which is a group of coniferous trees that is native to the Northern Hemisphere.

Casuarina trees have a number of features that distinguish them from pine trees. They have feathery foliage, while pine trees have needle-like foliage. Casuarina trees also have cones that are much smaller than the cones on pine trees.

6. How far apart to plant Casuarina?

The ideal spacing for your Casuarina trees will depend on a few factors, including:

• Species: Different casuarina species have different mature sizes. For example, the common coastal she-oak (Casuarina equisetifolia) typically grows to 15-20 m tall, while the dwarf she-oak (Casuarina stricta) only reaches 3-5 m.
• Purpose: Are you planting the trees for wind protection, privacy, shade, or aesthetics? Closer spacing will create a denser screen, while wider spacing will allow the trees to grow larger and provide more shade.
• Soil conditions: Casuarinas are generally tolerant of poor soil conditions, but they will grow best in well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy clay, you may need to plant the trees further apart to allow for root growth.

Here are some general guidelines for spacing Casuarina trees:

• For wind protection: Plant trees 2-3 m apart in a single row.
• For privacy: Plant trees 1-2 m apart in a single row or 2-3 m apart in a double row.
• For shade: Plant trees 3-5 m apart.
• For aesthetics: This will depend on the desired effect. For a natural look, space the trees irregularly. For a more formal look, plant them in rows or grids.

7. Does Casuarina fix nitrogen?

Casuarina trees can fix nitrogen! They do this through a symbiotic relationship with a type of bacteria called Frankia. These bacteria live in small lumps, called root nodules, on the tree's roots. The Frankia bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that the tree can use for growth.

8. What is the best fertilizer for Casuarina?

The best fertilizer for Casuarina is https://www.theplantcompany.co.nz/shop/product/fertiliser/tree-and-shrub-fertiliser

This particular blend has been created to provide long-lasting nutrition to trees and shrubs.