Allocasuarina torulosa

Common Name:
Forest Oak

Description:
Allocasuarina torulosa, commonly known as Forest Oak, is a graceful and distinctive Australian native tree valued for its fine, needle-like foliage and upright, pyramidal form. Found naturally along the eastern coast of Australia, from New South Wales into Queensland, it is highly adaptable and has become increasingly popular in ornamental and ecological plantings across Victoria. The tree features deeply fissured bark and branchlets that resemble pine needles, giving it a soft, weeping appearance. Unlike true pines, however, Forest Oak is a flowering plant and produces small, reddish-brown male flowers and woody, cone-like fruit on female trees. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soils, tolerating both dry and moderately moist conditions once established. Forest Oak is a hardy species suitable for coastal plantings, shelterbelts, and as a specimen tree in native or low-maintenance gardens. Its fast growth, wind resistance, and drought tolerance make it particularly suited to Melbourne’s varied conditions.

Form:

• Tree - Medium

Mature Size:

• Height: 8 to 15 metres

• Width: 4 to 6 metres

Aspect:

• Full Sun

• Part Shade

Flowering:

• Flowers in Winter

• Flowers in Spring

Flower Colour:

• Red (male flowers)

• Unshowy / inconspicuous (female flowers)

Key Attributes:

• Australian native

• Drought Tolerant

• Suitable for Windbreaks

• Bird Attracting

• Fast Growing

• Suitable for Revegetation Projects

• Coastal Tolerant

• Distinctive Foliage

• Timber Tree

Toxicity:
Not known to be toxic to humans or animals.

Companion Plants:

• Eucalyptus species

• Melaleuca

• Banksia

• Lomandra

• Dianella