Is this a true pine tree?

No, it is a flowering plant in the Casuarinaceae family, not a conifer.

How fast does it grow?

It is a very fast-growing tree, often adding several feet per year in ideal conditions.

Plant guide

Coastal she oak.

Casuarina equisetifolia

Pronounced kas-yoo-uh-RYE-nuh ek-wih-sih-foh-LEE-uh

Also known as Asutralian Pine, Australian beefwood, Australian pine, Australian pine tree, Australian-pine, Beach Sheoak, Casuarine, Coastal Beefwood

Beach Sheoak — Photo by Steven Bodzin (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The coastal she oak is a hardy, pine like tree that thrives in sandy, salty environments. It is well known for its needle like branchlets and its ability to act as an effective windbreak. You will often see it growing near beaches where it handles harsh conditions with ease.

Another photo of Coastal she oak — Photo by Margaret Burger (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 6 to 35 meters
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Spring to summer

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of sun and well draining soil. Watch for yellowing branchlets, which can indicate poor drainage or nutrient issues. It is quite drought tolerant once established, so you do not need to fuss over it much.

Watering: Water deeply while young, but mature trees are very drought tolerant.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once or twice a year if growth seems sluggish.
Pruning: Prune only to remove dead wood or to shape the tree during its dormant season.
Repotting: If kept in a container, move to a larger pot every few years to accommodate root growth.
Soil: Sandy, well draining soil
Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline
Temperature: 0 to 40°C
Humidity: 40 to 90%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 30 to 50 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.

Safety

People: The plant is generally non-toxic, but the needle-like branchlets can be sharp and irritating to sensitive skin.
Children: The small, woody cones are a choking hazard for small children if ingested.
Contact allergens: The stiff, needle-like branchlets can cause minor skin abrasions or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The wind-dispersed pollen can be a significant trigger for seasonal hay fever sufferers.
Edibility: The cones and foliage are not considered edible and may cause digestive distress.

How to identify it

Needle like green branchlets
Small woody cone like fruits
Rough, greyish brown bark
Drooping, wispy growth habit

Height: 6 to 35m
Spread: 3 to 10m
Leaves: green, gray-green, evergreen
Flowers: brown, red, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Blister MiteCommon
Root RotCommon
CankerUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In cooler climates, protect young trees from frost with burlap wraps. Ensure the soil remains well-drained to prevent root rot during wet winters.
In containers: It is not well-suited for long-term container growth due to its massive size and extensive root system.

Seed

1. Collect mature brown cones.
2. Dry cones until they release small winged seeds.
3. Sow seeds in sandy, well-draining soil.
4. Keep moist until germination.

Plant species that also enjoy full sun and well-draining, sandy soil to ensure they do not compete for resources.

Grows well with

Sea Grape · Both plants thrive in similar sandy, coastal environments.
Beach Sunflower · These low-growing flowers provide a nice color contrast beneath the trees.

Similar species

Cunningham's Casuarina · A related species that is slightly more cold-tolerant.

Science

Family: Casuarinaceae
Genus: Casuarina
Order: Fagales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Coastal regions of Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
Conservation: It is considered invasive in many tropical regions outside its native range, so check local regulations before planting.

It fixes atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules, allowing it to colonize barren, sandy coastal dunes.

Value to wildlife: nesting site for birds, windbreak habitat
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: windbreak, coastal erosion control, ornamental shade tree, timber

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 8/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this a true pine tree?: No, it is a flowering plant in the Casuarinaceae family, not a conifer.
How fast does it grow?: It is a very fast-growing tree, often adding several feet per year in ideal conditions.

Where the name comes from

The name Casuarina comes from the resemblance of its drooping branchlets to the feathers of a cassowary bird.

Good to know

It is often mistaken for a pine tree because of its needle-like foliage.
The tree has a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its roots.
Its wood is extremely hard and was historically used for shingles and fence posts.
It can tolerate high levels of salt spray and sandy, nutrient-poor soils.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.