Scientific Name: Allocasuarina verticillata

Habitat Notes

Forms close to pure stands along the margins of coastal cliffs and on dry, rocky, north-facing slopes, especially on dolerite. Also grows inland on dry rocky sites. Probably the most drought-resistant tree species in Tasmania. Only moderately tolerant of fire. Widespread and frequent especially in eastern Tasmania.

Site Tolerance

Dry, Exposed, Moist, Rocky, Windy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Nutrient-poor, Sandy, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

General Notes

A long-lived species (50-100 years), moderately slow-growing. Plants are highly palatable to livestock and rabbits and usually require protection to establish. Good for medium level windbreaks, useful for erosion control due to its ability to shoot from the roots and the leaf litter. Stabilizes surface. Trees produce large root nodules that provide habitat for micro-organisms that ‘fix’ nitrogen. Bird attracting. Provides food for seed-eating birds and is important for insect-eating birds. Bee attracting. Not prone to insect attack. Resistant to Phytophthora cinnamomi. Has potential for management under a coppice regime for firewood production. Koori (mainland) uses: Young shoots and cones were occasionally eaten, but the main importance of the sheoak was the use of its wood for making implements.

Propagation Method

Root suckers can be transplanted during winter when the soil is moist. Difficult to strike from cuttings and strike rate very low. Can be grown from cuttings of semi-hard wood. Coppice shoots taken from cut stumps or damaged plants will strike readily.