Tree identification manual - North East Downs Landcare Group

Forest sheoak
Botanical name
Allocasuarina torulosa
Areas
4, 6 & 7
Usual flowering time
April - October
Distribution
Widely in SE Qld, especially in forest country on sandy or stony soils. Especially abundant on sandy coastal
country. Occurs over most of Eastern Queensland.
Description
Height: Up to 10m with sparse open canopy.
Bark: Rough, dark coloured.
Leaves: Minute teeth on joints of thin green needles which act as leaves.
Inflorescence: Small rusty coloured catIzins on the ends of needles.
Fruit: Short woody cone with valves opening at sides.
Distinctive features
Sometimes conical in shape, with a corky, fissured grey bark. Branches usually curve upwards towards the
ends and the green twigs are erect or spreading. Most commonly found in moister eucalypt forests as
understorey.
Vegetation community
Layered open forest of sydney blue gum, tallowwood, stringybark and bloodwood.
Associated soils
This community occurs principally on lateritic red earths which vary in depth. Portions of this community
have been cleared and the land cultivated. Improved pastures for dairy and beef production are grown
throughout the area.
Local example
Found around Pechey State Forest. There is a specimen opposite Grapetree Rd intersection with New
England Highway north of Hampton.
NOTES: Timber is useful for turning, firewood and shingles.
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