A fun......pine?

[NickfromWI]

What kind of tree is this one. I think it's a fun one to know for tree ID. It's a good one to catch people off guard with.

Here's the tree...

 

[NickfromWI]

Here are the um....needles

 

[NickfromWI]

Here's some seeds...

 

[Colin]

Not a pine, it's a Casuarina.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casuarina

 

[Leon]

They call it ironwood here in Hawaii. They make a really nice sound when the wind goes through them.

 

[Colin]

Yes they do.

when I go surf fishing many times I walk through a grove about 50m to 100m long of these trees, the sound is great.

But you'll regret doing it barefoot.

 

[mrtree]

She-oak, Sea Willow etc. Perhaps about 20 species exist. Interesting because the 'needles' are modified twigs that photosynthesize.

 

[NickfromWI]

Cool fact, mrtree!

There was an article maybe 2 months ago in the Western Arborist mag that talked about NOT planting these trees near the beach because the sand is getting worn away and now there is a lot of exposed roots.

Anyway, just thought it was a fun one I should share!

love
nick

 

[Mrsmorningwood]

Common name here is Australian Pine. I believe we have 2 flavors found commonly. The true leaves are tooth-like scales held at the joints of the twigs and if you had the patience, time and a good hand lens, when counted can help differentiate species.
They are invasive in FL.

 

[mrtree]

Nick this seems funny advice. My understanding is they will grow on the shore line with roots in the water. Thus I would think that they might hold the sand. As for invasive that is a whole different for not planting them. I would think if they like shore lines the are invasive in areas where wetlands have been destroyed or mangroves removed.

 

[Mrsmorningwood]

I had actually read somewhere that they are used to bind sands on coasts in HI. As for planting them, I am not familiar with the history of their being here but here they are and they are invasive. They don't only grow along shorelines but in sandy soil which FL has plenty of. I guess if you want to get technical, most of FL is a destroyed wetland (which is how we got melaleuca), right? Draining the Everglades and all.
Looking forward to the next quiz, Nick.

 

[JJackson]

Seen many of these used for wind break on ag fields and vineyard around Salinas, always under or directly beside the high voltage lines. I remeber a row of about 200 next to the lines and I thing at the time the utility way paying by the unit, not a bad chuck of money for a days work.