The Temperate Database is in the process of being updated, with new records being added and old ones being checked and brought up to date where necessary. This record has not yet been checked and updated.

Common Name: Belah

General Information

Casuarina cristata is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 12.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia.

Habitat

Drier areas[], usually on heavier soils and avoiding ridges[]. Usually found in clayey grey or brown soils with calcareous nodules near the surface[].

Properties

Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a well-drained moisture-retentive soil in full sun[]. A report for Australian gardens says that it prefers growing in dry areas but also thrives in very wet soils[]. Fast growing[].
This plant tolerates temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[] although this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer, colder wetter winters. It might succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country[].
This species is dioecious - both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[].
The plant produces suckers from the roots and often forms dense groves which can be all of one clone[, ].
Unlike most members of this genus, this plant does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The bark is rich in tannin[].
Wood - very hard, not durable, takes a good polish. Mainly used for furniture and fencing, it is also a good fuel[, ].

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter to early summer in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[, ].