Sheoak

More info for the term: tree

For Cunningham casuarina:
river sheoak
river-oak
sheoak
she-oak

For Casuarina equisetifolia:
beach sheoak
Australian-pine
horestail casuarina

For Casuarina glauca:
grey sheoak
ironwood
longleaf casuarina
whistling pine


TAXONOMY:
The scientific name of the sheoak genus is Casuarina (Casuarinaceae) [12,19].
Three species of sheoak are common in the United States. All will be treated
in this report because of their similar status as invader species and
across-the-board efforts to eradicate the genus from the continent.
"Sheoak" refers to the genus. The species covered in this review are:

Casuarina cunninghamiana Miq., river sheoak
Casuarina equisetifolia L., beach sheoak
Casuarina glauca Seiber, gray sheoak [6,19]

These species hybridize with each other [14].


LIFE FORM:
Tree


FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS:
NO_ENTRY


OTHER STATUS:
All 3 species of sheoak are list as noxious weeds (prohibited aquatic
plants, Class 1) in Florida [16].





DISTRIBUTION AND OCCURRENCE
SPECIES: Casuarina spp.
GENERAL DISTRIBUTION:
Sheoaks were introduced to the United States near the turn of the
20th century [14]. They are widely distributed in southern Florida
and are also found in California, Arizona, and Hawaii [12,17].




Distributions of river, beach, and gray sheoak. Maps courtesy of USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database.
National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC [2018, June 8] [16].

All 3 species of sheoak are list as noxious weeds (prohibited aquatic
plants, Class 1) in Florida [16].

Sheoaks were introduced to the United States near the turn of the
20th century [14]. They are widely distributed in southern Florida
and are also found in California, Arizona, and Hawaii [12,17].


Distributions of river, beach, and gray sheoak. Maps courtesy of USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database.
National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC [2018, June 8] [16].

More info for the term: peat

Periodic fires coupled with the use of herbicides may be an effective
method of controlling sheoak. However, too frequent, intense
fires that kill overstory native pines may actually encourage Casuarina
species to establish [18]. Morton [14] warns that burning Australian
pine in peat soils may be hazardous. Elfer [3] suggests that fire may
be an effective control method for trees greater than 3 inches (8 cm) in
diameter and in dense stands. Burning could be potentially harmful if
the soil pH is changed such that native species cannot establish [3].

River sheoak is listed as a component in the following vegetation
types:

Area Classification Authority
Mariana Is, S. Pacific veg. type Falanruw & others 1989 [5]


Palau, S. Pacific veg. type Cole & others 1987 [2]

More info for the term: tree

Tree

Sheoak is extremely fast growing, crowding out many native
plants and creating sterile environments for both plants and animals
[10]. It forms dense roots, which deplete soil moisture and break water
and sewer lines. It is also susceptible to windthrow during hurricanes
[3]. Cutting often induces sprouting, so it is not an effective control
method. Chemicals, such as 2,4,5-T, 2,4-D, or Garlon 3A, can be used to
eradicate sheoak [10,14].

More info on this topic.

More info for the terms: fruit, seed

Sheoak can flower and fruit year-round in warm climates [3].
Its peak flowering time is between April and June, and its peak fruiting
time is between September and December. The minimum seed-bearing age is
4 to 5 years, and it produces a good seed crop annually. C.
equisetifolia usually flowers and fruits two times a year: between
February and April, and September and October. It produces fruit in
June and December. The fastest growth occurs in the first 7 years with
maximum growth reached in 20 years. The maximum lifespan of Australian
pine is 40 to 50 years [3].

More info for the terms: caudex, root crown, secondary colonizer, seed

survivor species; on-site surviving root crown or caudex
off-site colonizer;seed carried by wind; postfire years 1 and 2
off-site colonizer; seed carried by animals or water; postfire yr 1&2
secondary colonizer; off-site seed carried to site after year 2

The scientific name of the sheoak genus is Casuarina (Casuarinaceae) [12,19].
Three species of sheoak are common in the United States. All will be treated
in this report because of their similar status as invader species and
across-the-board efforts to eradicate the genus from the continent.
"Sheoak" refers to the genus. The species covered in this review are:

Casuarina cunninghamiana Miq., river sheoak
Casuarina equisetifolia L., beach sheoak
Casuarina glauca Seiber, gray sheoak [6,19]

These species hybridize with each other [14].