She Oak
Casuarina equisetifoliafam. Casuarinaceae
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Pl. 490F — Casuarina equisetifolia
Casuarina equisetifoliaCasuarina equisetifoliaCasuarina equisetifoliaCasuarina equisetifoliaCasuarina equisetifoliaCasuarina equisetifoliaCasuarina equisetifoliaCasuarina equisetifoliaCasuarina equisetifoliaCasuarina equisetifoliaCasuarina equisetifoliaCasuarina equisetifoliaCasuarina equisetifoliaCasuarina equisetifolia
IOverview
Overview
She Oak, scientifically known as Casuarina equisetifolia, is a large evergreen tree native to regions including the Andaman Islands, Assam, Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, Caroline Islands, and Fiji. This plant thrives in full to partial sun and can tolerate various soil types, from light sandy to heavy clay. It is known for its edible properties, with seeds being a valuable food source. One distinctive feature of She Oak is its unique needle-like foliage resembling pine needles, while another notable characteristic is its ability to grow up to 30 meters in height, making it a prominent tree in many landscapes.
Quick answers
What is She Oak?
She Oak, scientifically known as Casuarina equisetifolia, is a large evergreen tree native to regions including the Andaman Islands, Assam, Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, Caroline Islands, and Fiji. This plant thrives in full to partial sun and can tolerate various soil types, from light sandy to heavy clay.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
She Oak thrives in full to partial sun and prefers well-drained soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is drought-tolerant but performs best in moist conditions. This tree grows up to 30 meters tall and is hardy in zones 9-12. For propagation, seeds are the recommended method. Ensure it has ample space as it can grow quite large.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
9-12
Mature size
30.0 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow She Oak for the first time
8steps
Start with She Oak as a simple, low-maintenance tree for beginners.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young saplings, a garden trowel, and mulch.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring when the soil is moist but not waterlogged.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5 for best growth.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the ground or plant young saplings, spacing them about 3 meters apart.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not soggy; mulch around the base to retain moisture.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water deeply once a week during dry spells and prune lightly in late winter or early spring.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune young shoots for shape and to encourage branching; no edible parts are harvested.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy clay soil, and not providing enough space between trees.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Seed
Edible uses: Salt
Other uses:Fire starterDyeFencingHedgerowtextilesPreservativeWind breakerSoil conditionerSoil reclamationErosion controlTanninLumberCoppiceNitrogen fixer
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 30 native
Asia6 regions
native (6)BangladeshCambodiaIndiaPhilippinesThailandVietnam
Oceania6 regions
native (6)FijiNew CaledoniaSamoaTongaTuvaluVanuatu
Broader regions
native:Borneo, Caroline Is., Jawa, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Marianas, Marshall Is., New Guinea, New South Wales, Nicobar Is., Northern Territory, Queensland, Solomon Is., South China Sea, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Turks-Caicos Is.
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 490f0d68-6d41-4b91-9319-81c3b28347a5
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