Forest Types
Casuarina
Casuarina forests occur in all States and Territories, and make up about 1% of Australia’s total forested area. The largest area of Casuarina forest is in western New South Wales. There are about 60 different species of Casuarinas, which are commonly known as She-oaks or Oaks, due to the similarity of their timber to that of European Oak trees.
Only some Casuarina species form forest communities. Many are too short or sparse to be classified as forest. Because their roots can produce nitrogen through nodules that contain special bacteria, Casuarinas can grow on nutrient-poor soils and other marginal environments such as granite outcrops or sandy soils.
Casuarina wood is harvested for use in flooring, cabinet-making, furniture making and other specialty woodworking. The wood is hard and highly sought after for furniture and woodcraft. It also makes excellent firewood and high-quality charcoal. Casuarinas are often used for reforesting, since they make very good windbreaks and are able to protect other tree species. They are also used in soil reclamation and erosion control.
Indigenous groups often used the hard wood of Casuarinas to make boomerangs, shields and clubs.
For more information on Casuarina forests, read the National Forestry Inventory’s Casuarina Forest Profile.
Casuarina Forest
Photo: National Association of Forest Industries
