Science · Plants, Natives & Crops
Casuarina
Casuarina equisetifolia is adapted to many sandy coastal environments and forms nitrogen-fixing associations with Frankia. Good drainage remains important despite its coastal distribution, and salt-spray exposure should not be equated with unlimited tolerance of saline irrigation or prolonged saturation.
Profile
- Growth habit
- Evergreen tree with slender, jointed, photosynthetic branchlets.
- Height
- The Agroforestree profile reports approximately 6–35 m, occasionally taller.
- Soil
- Commonly grows on well-drained sands and sandy loams.
- Soil reaction
- Tolerates calcareous and slightly alkaline soils.
- Nitrogen fixation
- Forms an actinorhizal association with Frankia.
- Drainage
- Intolerant of prolonged waterlogging.
Water & soil context
- Moisture (VWC)
- No numeric root-zone volumetric water content target is specified in the cited publications.
- Salinity tolerance
- Coastal occurrence includes salt-spray exposure, but the cited sources do not specify a numeric irrigation-water EC or root-zone salinity target.
- Drought tolerance
- Occurs in climates with substantial dry seasons, yet can fail on poor sands when subsoil moisture is inadequate.
Illustrative monitoring-depth band
6–12 in
Editorial placement example, not a validated optimum or total rooting depth. Confirm the site's root distribution and soil horizons; multiple depths may be needed.
Account for rapid drying of sandy soils and rooting access to moisture. The two cited URLs are PDF and web presentations of the same Agroforestree species profile, not independent studies.
Problems to watch
- Bacterial wilt and fungal diseases can cause decline.
- Pruning wounds can facilitate pathogen entry.
- Wood borers and defoliators can damage plantations.
Stress signs
- Foliage yellowing followed by wilting and death is reported with bacterial wilt.
- Bark cracking and blisters containing black spores can indicate fungal disease.
- These disease signs should not be treated as specific indicators of insufficient irrigation.
Where you'll find it
- Poles and fuelwood
- Coastal shelterbelts
- Pulpwood
More plants, natives & crops
Published botanical and soil references are distinct from GroundWorx product guidance. Moisture thresholds and monitoring depths require site calibration; sources do not establish product performance or diagnose stress.