Beach she-oak (coast she-oak, Australian pine) Casuarina equisetifolia
Beach she-oak (coast she-oak, Australian pine) (Casuarina equisetifolia) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Casuarinaceae family, native to Coasts of northern and eastern Australia, South-east Asia and the western Pacific. It grows 12–30 m (39–98 ft) tall and 5–10 m (16–33 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
Plan Beach she-oak (coast she-oak, Australian pine) in your garden →
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Beach she-oak (coast she-oak, Australian pine) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Casuarinaceae |
| Mature height | 12–30 m (39–98 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–10 m (16–33 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–9 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–261 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Coasts of northern and eastern Australia, South-east Asia and the western Pacific |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇮🇳 India, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇪🇬 Egypt |
| Invasive in | Florida, Hawaii, the Bahamas and Caribbean, South Africa: check local rules before planting |
Is Beach she-oak (coast she-oak, Australian pine) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; the pollen is a common allergen in Florida and elsewhere.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Beach she-oak (coast she-oak, Australian pine)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Beach she-oak (coast she-oak, Australian pine)
- How far apart should I plant Beach she-oak (coast she-oak, Australian pine)?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–10 m (16–33 ft).
- Does Beach she-oak (coast she-oak, Australian pine) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Beach she-oak (coast she-oak, Australian pine) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Beach she-oak (coast she-oak, Australian pine)?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Beach she-oak (coast she-oak, Australian pine) flower?
- About 156–261 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Beach she-oak (coast she-oak, Australian pine) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous; the pollen is a common allergen in Florida and elsewhere.
- What grows well with Beach she-oak (coast she-oak, Australian pine)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Beach she-oak (coast she-oak, Australian pine). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- Looks like a pine but is a flowering tree: the “needles” are thin green twigs with tiny leaves in whorls, and the “cones” are woody fruit. Roots carry nitrogen-fixing Frankia bacteria, so it grows on bare sand and is planted for windbreaks and dune stabilisation; in Florida it smothers beaches and is a prohibited invasive.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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