Casuarina: characteristics, species and more

Our Casuarina They are trees that are very reminiscent of pines and other conifers, but that really have nothing to do with them. They grow naturally in Australia and the Pacific Islands, but have been shown to withstand light frosts, especially the species C. equisetifoliawhich is often planted on the streets and in temperate-climate gardens as it holds up to seven degrees below zero.

They are often called by the names of Roble female, Palo Hierro, or Palo res. Do you want to know them?

Characteristics of the Casuarina

Casuarina are evergreen plants, that is, they they remain evergreenwith a medium-fast growth rate. Its leaves are thin and long, up to 20cm, and are green or dark green depending on the species. They can reach a height of up to 30 meters, with a more or less straight trunk that cracks as it develops.

When they are grown, we will soon realize that they are not demanding at all. In fact, can grow even in saline soils and in places where rainfall is low. For this reason, if you live near the coast, it is highly recommended to plant some (or some) specimens, as it will also protect the garden from the wind.

Types of Casuarina

The genus is composed of about 15 different species. However, very few are grown in gardens:

Casuarina Cunninghamiana

It receives the names of river oak, australian pine or simply casuarina. It grows wild in Queensland and New South Wales, and can claim to be the tallest of the genus: reaches 30 meters in heightwhile the rest stay below 25 meters. It has a pyramidal crown and green branches, similar to those developed by pine trees. It resists up to -10ºC.

Casuarina equisetifolia

Known as Australian pine, Paris pine, casuarina ponytail or tree of sadness, this species of tree is semi-deciduous, which means that it does not lose all its leaves. It is native to Australia, but also to Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand, Polynesia and Malaysia. Reaches an approximate height of 25 metersand can branch at a low height from the ground. It is very resistant to salinity, and also resists down to -7ºC.

Glaucous Casuarina

The Glaucous Casuarina is a tree that grows on the east coast of Australia to a height of about 15 meters. It is a very interesting plant, since its roots establish a symbiotic relationship with the Frankia bacterium, which fixes nitrogen to the soil. It resists up to -5ºC.

obese casuarina

It is known as the swamp oak, and is native to New South Wales and Victoria, Australia. Reaches a maximum height of 10 metersalthough it can remain as a small tree of 5 meters or even lower, depending on where it is. It tolerates clayey and saline soils, and resists down to -5ºC.

Casuarina stricta

It is a species known by the common name of pendulous casuarina. She is originally from Australia, and reaches a maximum height of 10 meters. The trunk is tortuous, and has a rounded crown made up of green branches that carry out photosynthesis. It can be grown without problems in poor soils, as well as in saline ones. It resists up to -5ºC.

What are the care that must be given to them?

To have them splendid you have to take into account some things, which are:

Location

It is important that they are planted in an area where they get direct sunlight.. Although they are not considered trees with dangerous roots, it is advisable to plant them at a minimum distance of 5 meters from any construction in order to grow well.

Irrigation and fertilizer

During the first year they have to be watered 2 or 3 times a week in summer and less the rest of the yearin this way its root system will better get used to the new growing conditions. From the second, the risks will be spaced out.

It is not necessary to pay, but it can be done in spring and summer using organic fertilizers, such as cow manure or guano.

Pruning

Casuarinas are not plants that have to be pruned, because doing so would reduce their ornamental value considerably. however yes you can remove dead or broken branches in fall or late winter.

Multiplication

They multiply by seeds in spring. These are sown in pots with culture substrate such as these, covering them with a very thin layer of soil, and then placing them outside, in full sun. So that everything goes smoothly, it is advisable to treat them with a fungicide spray once every 15 days, since this will make it difficult for fungi to damage them.

Plagues and diseases

They are very, very sturdy. However, if they grow in poorly drained soils, mushrooms y oomycetes They will take advantage of the slightest sign of weakness to attack its roots. In addition, the Caterpillars young branches can be eaten.

Plantation

the casuarinas they are planted in the ground in late winterwhen no more frosts are going to occur. But yes, we must wait until they have rooted well in the pot, since that way we will ensure that they pass the transplant without problems. How to know?

Well, if roots come out of the holes in it, or if they have been in it for more than 3 years and when we pull the trunk up, as if we wanted to take it out of the container, the root ball comes out without falling apart, then we can plant them in the ground.

What uses does it have?

These plants They are widely used to decorate gardens.either as isolated specimens or in alignments. But they are also interesting to avoid or prevent soil erosion, and even casuarina bonsai are made.

The Casuarinas are splendid trees, don’t you think?