The Casurina species is often called She Oak but the name is supposed to relate to C. junghuhniana whereas C.cunninghamiana is called River Oak. However the similarity is close and both are Mvinje in Swahili.
The species is indigenous to the highlands of Indonesia and to Australia, and it grows in a variety of soil conditions from sea level to about 2 000m and can withstand exposure to salt and drought.
In Tanzania the species can be found at Lushoto and on Zanzibar.
Description: A tall tree reaching to >30m, usually with a straight trunk >1m in diameter. The tree has a narrow, conical crown - dark grey/green colour. Bark is dark brown to almost black and is rough and corky sometime with furrows. Leaves are similar to needles with leaf scales, pale green branchlets 30 - 40cm long drooping. Male & female flowers are on separate trees and in clusters. Fruit are small capsules on female trees 9 -12mm in diameter, woody but not with prickles. The tiny valves open to released seed.
Uses: Fuelwood, timber, poles, tool handles, charcoal. Forestry and conservation as the species in nitrogen fixing.
Propagation: There are 80 000 - 100 000 seeds per kg with uniform and good germination rate. Seed treatment is not necessary but germination is improved by cold water soaking overnight before sowing.
Seeds store well for >1year kept dry and at room temperature.
May be direct sown or sown in beds for later pricking out
The trees grow quickly and around homes respond to pollarding to reduce crown and utilize wood material (and foliage for stock fodder).
Is used for horticulture shelter in NZ and Australia. Roots tend to spread sideways and so suckers erupt. These can be transplanted.
The timber tends to split and crack but is heavy and hard - poles are perhaps more useful for traditional houses also as rails instead of log slabs (mabanzi).
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