River She Oak

River She Oak (Casuarina cunninghamiana) is the fast native workhorse for windbreaks, big boundaries and wet ground. In a garden or paddock it reaches about 15m tall and 7m wide, and along watercourses it can pass 20m. Fine, weeping branchlets give it a soft silhouette and the signature she oak sound in wind, over one of the toughest constitutions of any Australian tree.

Why you'll love it

• Shelter, fast. A genuinely fast grower, so a windbreak row does its job within a few seasons rather than a decade.
• Handles flood and drought. Periodically wet ground, riverbank flats, then a dry summer: it takes both extremes in its stride.
• A soft look for a tough tree. The weeping, needle like foliage moves and sounds like nothing else in the garden.
• Near nationwide range. Frost hardy, wind firm and salt tolerant, it grows from the tropics through cool temperate districts and into dry inland country.
• Feeds the birds. The seed draws native birds, and a mature row becomes its own strip of habitat.

Where it works best

Windbreaks and shelter belts. Plant 3m apart in a single row, or run a double staggered row at the same spacing where wind really matters. A filtered screen protects better than a solid wall.

Tall screening on acreage. The same 3m spacing grows into a high evergreen screen that blocks a neighbouring shed or road in a few years.

Creek banks, dams and damp paddocks. Wet feet tolerance makes it a natural for ground that drowns other shelter species, and its roots help hold banks together.

Driveways and rural avenues. On a long drive with room either side, a she oak avenue is graceful, quick and close to indestructible.

Growing River She Oak in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun in an open position. It performs in tropical, subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and arid or semi arid climates, coastal or inland, and established trees shrug off frost.

Soil. Almost any: sand, loam, heavy soil, wet or dry. Few trees are less particular.

Water and feed. Water deeply through the first summer to drive roots down, then leave it to the weather. Feeding is rarely worthwhile beyond planting.

Pruning. Lift the lower branches early if you need clearance underneath; otherwise it needs none. Shed needles form a mulch carpet beneath the canopy that suppresses grass, worth knowing before you plant it over lawn.

What to expect when it arrives

We grow River She Oak in windbreak quantities and single tree sizes: 140mm pots in packs of 10, 200mm pots in packs of 6, then 300mm, 400mm, 45L and advanced 100L stock. The packs are the economical way to plant a full row; the big sizes buy instant height for a gap. Young trees establish quickly and put on visible height in their first year.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The best trees for farm paddocks and shade
• Browse all windbreak plants
• More Australian native trees
• Native plants that attract birds

Common questions

How far should it be from the house and pipes?

Generously far. The roots are vigorous and water seeking, so keep it well clear of pipes, septic systems, pools and paving. Allow at least its mature spread of 7m from any structure, and more from water and sewer lines.

Is it suitable for a normal backyard?

Honestly, no. At 15m tall with roots that hunt for water, it belongs on acreage, rural blocks and big boundaries. In a suburban yard, choose a smaller screening tree instead.

What spacing for a windbreak?

Three metres between trees in a single row, adding a second offset row where wind is serious. The rows fill into a filter that slows wind rather than forcing it over the top.

Will it cope right on the coast?

Yes. It is salt and wind tolerant and grows within sight of the sea, though the very front line of dunes is better left to the coastal she oak species.

Western Australia: this plant is listed as an environmental weed in WA, where it escapes from gardens into bushland. We do not recommend it for WA gardens. Please choose a local alternative.