Sheoaks WIND HARPS FROM DESERT TO THE SEA

Casuarinanceae is one of many tree families that occur in Australia.  Others may be well known and have been utilised more.  So why a story about this family we affectionately call Sheoaks, Bull Oaks, Riveroaks and other common names?

Casuarinaceae evoke many stories and memories for Australians.  This family of trees consists of some of the great hardwoods on earth.  It is a timber that wood enthusiasts use for its unique patterns.  It is a tree with many myths; a tree that early Australian foresters gave little credence to its potential, yet other countries embraced this tree which is now planted worldwide.

Casuarinas have a tolerance for wind and salt water.  They have been a popular choice for arresting and stabilising sand drifts and erosion in many coastal and desert habits.

DID YOU KNOW

That the Sheoak tree is and has been a sacred tree for its many uses and beliefs in Australian Aboriginal Mythology and Culture.

The Casuarina tree was the first tree to be botanically sketched from the Australian Coast 1699

Sheoak tree seeds collected from Australia’s East Coast by Banks and Solander were the first trees grown in England from Australia,

Casuarina timber from Australia was the first timber taken from Australia to be used to make furniture in England. 1790

The first large ship built in Sydney Cove, Australia, was from Casuarina timber.  1799

Casuarina timber, used as firewood, was voted the best in the world, according to the Academy of Sciences 1995.

Species of Casuarina is considered to be the hardest timber on earth of those timbers tested to date according to the Janka Scale 2015.