With an attractive weeping habit, Allocasuarina littoralis, commonly called the Black She-oak is a useful landscaping tree.
Best described as a medium sized tree, and having a natural upright habit, the mature bark is very dark, fissured and gives a textural appearance.
This is a fast growing tree which makes it valuable in a range of landscaping projects. It is also a species that fixes nitrogen into the soil.
Native to Australia with a natural habitat from the east coast of Tasmania and along coastal ranges areas from Victoria to Queensland this is a very adaptable and easy Allocasuarina species.
How To Grow Allocasuarina littoralis – Basic Care
Very easy care once established as long as drainage is good. It is moderately drought tolerant, and will cope with frosts.
- Allocasuarina littoralis thrives in full sun to part shade and is very adaptable to a range of soil types including any well drained clay, sand or loamy soils, coastal, inland, and poor soils, provided drainage is good.
- Water regularly and deeply during planting and for the first three months, allowing the soil to dry a little between waterings; once established, this is a highly drought-tolerant and survives little to no extra water.
- Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Pruning is generally not required — remove dead or damaged wood as needed; prune to shape if required in late winter or early spring.
- Apply a native slow-release fertilizer (low phospjate) once or twice yearly for best growth.
- Planting distance to form screens or windbreaks, 2–4m apart; feature trees try 6m apart.
- This is a nitrogen-fixing tree encourages native biodiversity, attracts seed-eating birds, and controls erosion.
- Avoid planting near pathways, drainage lines, pipes and buildings due to the large root syste
Landscaping and Garden Uses
Excellent as a windbreak tree, it attracts native birds to the garden and the trunk with its deep fissured bark is also suited to growing some epiphytic orchids.
It grows well in coastal conditions and makes a good windbreak tree. It has shallow a root system so can also be useful for erosion control.
Propagation
Easy from seed.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Allocasuarina littoralis
- Common Name – Black She-oak
Family – Casuarinaceae - Position – Full sun
- Climate Zone – Tropical to cool temperate.
- Soil – Well drained.
- Height – To round 12 metres in height.
- Spread – To around 4 metres
- Flowers – Male trees have attractive red flowers, female trees have smallish cones.
- Flowering Time – Autumn
- Foliage – Evergreen and needle like.
- Growth Rate – Dependant on soil and climate, from medium to fast.
- Drought tolerant – Moderate
- Frost tolerant – Yes
- Salt tolerant – Yes
Available for sale from the following participating nurseries
1750 Westernport Rd Heath Hill VIC 3981
Australias largest grower of semi advanced native and deciduous trees. .9 - 2.6mts high. Supplying councils, developers and landscapers. Includes Acacia implexa, acacia melanoxlylon.
www.dream-time.com.au
"Propagation and Production of Native and Exotic Trees
with Natural Root Systems from 2 to 2,000 lts."
www.njrivett.com.au