Casuarina cunninghamiana

Common Name:
River Sheoak

Description:
Casuarina cunninghamiana, commonly known as River Sheoak, is a fast-growing, upright Australian native tree admired for its fine, needle-like foliage and soft, wispy appearance. Native to the riverbanks and floodplains of eastern Australia, it thrives in both wet and dry conditions, making it a highly adaptable option for a variety of landscapes. The tree features dark, furrowed bark and slender green branchlets that function as leaves, giving it a look similar to pine trees—though it’s actually a flowering species. River Sheoak produces small, inconspicuous reddish-brown flowers and woody cone-like seed capsules. This species is ideal for erosion control, windbreaks, and revegetation, particularly in riparian zones. In Melbourne’s climate, it performs well in full sun with well-drained soils but also tolerates periodic inundation and clay-heavy ground. Casuarina cunninghamiana is excellent for habitat planting, attracting native birds, particularly parrots and cockatoos, that feed on its seeds. It responds well to pruning and is often used in large gardens and rural settings as a screen or shade tree.

Form:

• Tree - Large

Mature Size:

• Height: 15 to 30 metres

• Width: 6 to 10 metres

Aspect:

• Full Sun

• Part Shade

Flowering:

• Flowers in Winter

• Flowers in Spring

Flower Colour:

• Red (male flowers)

• Inconspicuous (female flowers)

Key Attributes:

• Australian native

• Bird Attracting

• Drought Tolerant

• Suitable for Windbreaks

• Suitable for Revegetation Projects

• Fast Growing

• Tolerates Poor Soils

• Erosion Control

• Tolerates Wet and Dry Conditions

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

Companion Plants:

• Eucalyptus camaldulensis

• Melaleuca ericifolia

• Lomandra longifolia

• Juncus usitatus

• Dianella caerulea