Common Name:

General Information

Casuarina oligodon is an evergreen tree growing up to 30 metres tall[]. Its leaves have been reduced in size and are like minute scales arranged in whorls[].
The tree is considered to produce one of the best fire woods in the world and it is often cultivated for this purpose[]. It has been used traditionally in the highlands of Papua New Guinea for a long time, and is likely to have been spread by transfer of seedlings over long distances[]. It is planted as a shade tree in commercial and small holder plantations, and has shown promise in trials carried out in Israel[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australasia - Papua New Guinea.

Habitat

Forms extensive pure stands along river beds and on ridge tops at elevations up to 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

This is truly a tropical highland species, being found at elevations up to 2,500 metres or sometimes even higher[]. It grows in areas where the mean annual rainfall is in the range 1,900 - 2,600 mm, there is a high relative humidity throughout the year with a weak dry season of up to 2 months and the temperatures vary from 11 - 15°c minimum at night to 24 - 30°c maximum during the day[].
Prefers a sunny position[]. Mostly found in sandy soils along creeks and rivers in the wild, but also grows well in colluvial soils, humic brown clay soils, alluvial and meadow soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7.5[].
For use as fence posts, a rotation length of 12 - 15 years is sufficient with thinnings at age 6 which could be utilized as fuel wood etc[].
According to Johnson (1982), the species consists of two subspecies: subsp. Oligodon and subsp. Abbreviata
Subsp. Oligodon has longer leaves, up to 1mm long. It is used locally in the eastern highlands of Papua New Guinea[]
Subsp. Abbreviata has shorter leaves up to 0.5mm long. It is used to restore soil fertility and control soil erosion in the N Baliem valley of Irian Jaya[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The species has an extensive root system and is used to control soil erosion on steep slopes[].
Fallen casuarina foliage provide a good protective layer against soil erosion and helps rebuild soils and protect unstable sites[].
It is used in reforesting grasslands in the highlands of Papua New Guinea because it competes well with grasses such as Imperata cylindrica, Saccharum robustum and Themeda australis[].
With its ability to improve soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and with its leaf litter, the tree has been found to provide good shade and growing conditions for coffee[].
The tree is planted as an intercrop in subsistence food gardens and as a fallow intercrop[].
One of the other main uses of this species is as wind breaks and, in its natural range, it can be seen planted around whole villages, protecting them from strong winds[].

Other Uses

The wood is generally hard and heavy and tends to split when sawn. Split wood is used to construct fences and houses. Round posts for construction, poles, fences suitable for use in the ground and for unprotected extension use in buildings, protected extension and intension work. Specialty uses include tool handles, shuttles and permanently submerged freshwater piles[].
The wood is regarded as one of the best firewoods in the world, with a calorific value of the charcoal of over 700 k cal/kg[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in seed beds[]. Germination usually starts after 10 days, though viability is naturally low[]. Pricking out is carried out when the seedlings are about 50 - 60 mm high and are ready for transplanting into polythene tubes[].
Seed production by the species is very good. Storage is mainly in household refrigerators where they are kept until needed for sowing[]. No research has been carried so far into their longevity under these conditions, but appears to be orthodox for this family[].

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