20 May 2005 Page 1 of 2 

Plant Conservation Alliance®s Alien Plant Working Group 

Xeeds HoneXild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas 

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/

FACT SHEET: AUSTRALIAN PINE

Australian Pine 

Casuarina equisetifolia L. 

Beefwood family (Casuarinaceae) 

NATIVE RANGE 

Malaysia, southern Asia, Oceania and Australia 

DESCRIPTION 

Australian pine is a deciduous tree with a soft, wispy, pine-like appearance that can 

grow to 100 feet or more in height. Also known as ironwood, beefwood, she oak and 

horsetail tree, it bears a superficial resemblance to the conifer genus Pinus because of 

its small, round, cone-like fruits and its branchlets of scale-like leaves that look like pine 

needles. Its flowers are tiny, brown and wind-pollinated. The fruit is a nutlet about 1⁄2 

inch in diameter that contains winged seeds. 

ECOLOGICAL THREAT 

Australian pine is fast-growing (5-10 feet per year), produces dense shade and a thick 

blanket of leaves and hard, pointed fruits, that completely covers the ground beneath it. 

Dense thickets of Australian pine displace native dune and beach vegetation, including 

mangroves and many other resident, beach-adapted species. Because its roots are capable of producing nitrogen through 

microbial associations, Australian pine can colonize nutrient-poor soils. Once established, it radically alters the light, 

temperature, and soil chemistry regimes of beach habitats, as it outcompetes and displaces native plant species and 

destroys habitat for native insects and other wildlife. Chemicals in the leaves of Australian pine may inhibit the growth of 

other plants underneath it. 

The ground below Australian pine trees becomes ecologically sterile and lacking in food value for native wildlife. Unlike 

native shrubbery, the thick, shallow roots of Australian pine make it much more susceptible to blow-over during high wind 

events, leading to increased beach and dune erosion and interference with the nesting activities of sea turtles. 

DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES 

Australian pine is established in the Hawaiian islands, coastal Florida, Puerto 

Rico, the Bahamas, and many Caribbean islands. 

HABITAT IN THE UNITED STATES 

Australian pine occurs in open, coastal strand habitat, characterized by sand 

and shell beaches, rocky coasts, sand dunes, and sand bars in subtropical 

climates. 

BIOLOGY & SPREAD 

Australian pine is capable of flowering year- round and can produce 

tremendous numbers of small, winged seeds which are dispersed by wind. 

BACKGROUND 

Australian pine was introduced to Florida in the late 1800's and planted widely for the purposes of ditch and canal 

stabilization, shade and lumber. 

MANAGEMENT OPTIONS 

No biological controls are currently available for management of Australian pine. For new or small infestations, manual 

removal of Australian pine seedlings and saplings is recommended. For heavier infestations, application of a systemic 

type herbicide to bark, cut stumps, or foliage is likely to be the most effective management tool. Prescribed fire has also 

been used for large infestations in fire-tolerant communities. 
20 May 2005 Page 2 of 2 

Plant Conservation Alliance®s Alien Plant Working Group 

Xeeds HoneXild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas 

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/

Raking and removal of leaf litter, cones and seeds should be done whenever possible. Impacts to native plants should be 

minimized during any control activities. Whenever possible, efforts should be taken to prevent the introduction or 

encroachment of Australian pine. For example, recently disturbed beach habitat may be planted with native vegetation to 

prevent Australian pine from invading. 

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: Always read the entire pesticide label carefully, follow all mixing and application instructions and wear all 

recommended personal protective gear and clothing. Contact your state department of agriculture for any additional pesticide use 

requirements, restrictions or recommendations. 

NOTICE: mention of pesticide products on this page does not constitute endorsement of any material.

CONTACTS 

For more information on the management of Australian Pine, please contact: 

• Ken Langeland, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agriculture Services; kal 

at gnv.ifas.ufl.edu 

SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE PLANTS 

Locally native plants that are adapted to the harsh conditions of the coastal environment 

should be used for landscape planting and beach restoration projects. Because most of 

these shrub species are evergreen, they provide year-round shade, erosion control and 

essential food and shelter for native wildlife. A few examples of Atlantic and Caribbean 

natives include sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera), sea ox-eye daisy (Borrichia frutescens), sea 

hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus), sea lavender (Tournefortia gnaphalodes) and sea-blight 

(Suaeda maritima). 

OTHER LINKS 

• http://www.invasive.org/search/action.cfm?q=Casuarina%20equisetifolia 

• http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/thumbnails/html/casuarina_equisetifolia.htm

AUTHOR 

Jil M. Swearingen, National Park Service, Washington, DC 

PHOTOGRAPH 

Forest & Kim Starr, US Geological Survey, HI 

REFERENCES 

Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. 1991. Exotic Woody Plant Control. In Florida Cooperative Extension Service, University 

of Florida, Ken Langeland, ed. Pp 8-9. 

Jubinsky, Greg A. and Andrew Leslie. 199?. "Casuarina." Bureau of Aquatic Plant Management, Technical Services 

Section, Tallahassee, Florida. 

Nellis, David W. 1994. Seashore plants of South Florida and the Caribbean: a guide to identification and propagation of 

xeriscape plants. Pineapple Press, Inc., Sarasota, Florida. 

Randall, J.M. and J. Marinelli. 1996. Invasive Plants: Weeds of the Global Garden. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Club Inc., 

Handbook No. 149. Brooklyn, New York. p. 30. 

Swearingen, J. 2009. WeedUS Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States: Australian Pine 

(Casuarina equisetifolia). http://www.invasive.org/weedus/subject.html?sub=3268. 

The Nature Conservancy. Australian Pine: Element Stewardship Abstract. In: Wildland Weeds Management & Research 

Program, Weeds on the Web. 

USDA, NRCS. 2009. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 

70874-4490 USA.