Mountain she-oak - Casuarina junghuhniana

Description and Uses

Casuarina junghuhniana (Mountain she-oak) is a tropical tree from Malaysia & Indonesia. It is mainly grown for its fuel crops (long shelflife), The crop is harvested by total removing. The tree`s wood is called beaf-wood and has a density of 900 - 1000 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is fast, its energetic value is 5500 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is fast; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 9 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Casuarina junghuhniana has a lifespan of 50 years.

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Environmental limitations

The tree is 29 meters tall. It is fast growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Casuarina junghuhniana has a shallow root-system and forms symbiotic relations (endo-mycorrhiza high). It is able to fix nitrogen with Enterobacteriaceae bacteria. The tree`s flower-morphology is monoecious and is pollinated by wind.

Casuarina junghuhniana thrives in an altitude of 550 to 3100 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is 0°C and optimally between 13 - 28°C. The optimal rainfall is 1600 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 700 - 1800 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 3.0 - 8.0 in a soil texture of loam. To salt it is a bit tolerant to wind and to fire .

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Pests and Diseases

and diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are orthodox and can be stored for 1 months. There are approximative 415000 seeds/kg. Unfortunately propagation instruction is missing.

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