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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Blunting Effect Boring Carving Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Planing Plantation species? Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Staining Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities Weathering Scientific Name Casuarina equisetifolia Trade Name Casuarina Family Name Casuarinaceae Synonyms Casuarina equisetifolia, Casuarina muricata Common Names Agoho, Agoko, Agoo, Agoso, Aroo, Aru, Australian beefwood, Australian pine, Beach she oak, Beefwood, Bois de fer, Casuarina, Casuarins, Chauku, Chavuku, Chouk, Chowku, Chula-maram, Cipres, Duong-lieu, Filao, Horsetail, Horsetail beefwood, Horsetail casuarina, Horsetail tree, Kasrike, Kattadi, Mabohok, Maribuhok, Muinje, Pinle-kabwe, Pino, Pino australiano, Rhu, Ru, Ru lait, Sampirani, Sauce, Serva, She oak, Shingle oak, Son, Sura, Tinyu, Tjemara, Velau, Weeping willow, Whistling pine Plantation species? Yes Regions of Distribution Africa, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Australia, Brunei, Burma, Chile, Fiji [Polynesia], Fiji, India, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Puerto Rico [US], Solomon Islands, South Africa, Thailand, Vanuatu Common Uses Agricultural implements, Beams, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: framing, Boat building: masts, Broom handles, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Charcoal, Crossties, Domestic flooring, Factory construction, Factory flooring, Flooring, Foundation posts, Fuelwood, Furniture, Handles, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Joists, Ladders , Lifeboats, Light construction, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Oars, Parquet flooring, Piling, Poles, Porch columns, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Rough construction, Shafts/Handles, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Stakes, Structural work, Studs, Sub-flooring, Textile equipment, Tool handles, Utility poles, Vehicle parts, Wheel spokes, Wheels Environmental Profile Rare within its natural habitat Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview It has the widest distribution of all Casuarina species and occurs naturally on subtropical and tropical coastlines from northern Australia through Malyasia to Polynesia. The species is naturalized in Kenya. The extensive root material and association with Frankia enable the tree to grow in poor soils. The species grows at an altitude of 0-1400 m, with mean annual temperatures of 10-35 deg. C and mean annual rainfall of 200-3500 mm. It grows on soils which are invariably well drained and rather coarse, textured, principally sands and sand loam. The species tolerates both calcereous and slightly alkaline soils but is intolerant of prolonged waterlogging and may fail on poor sands where subsoil moisture conditions are unsatisfactory. Heartwood Color Purple Brown Reddish brown Red Brown Pale red to pink Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Dark brown Light red The heartwood often has streaky markings or a purple tinge. The color is darker in older trees Sapwood Color White Different than heartwood Paler than heartwood Well defined Pinkish White to yellow Clearly differentiated from the heartwood The sapwood is described as brownish, or a soft creamy beige in color Grain Straight Interlocked Figure Wavy Stripe (figure) Closed Even Distinct (figure) Rays (figure) Straight Interlocked Wavy Striped figure Rays figure Distinct figure The grain is straight to interlocked. Rays are prominent on the radial surface of some Casuarina species, producing an attractive figure on quartersawn surface. The wide rays are reported to give the wood an oak-like appearance Texture Coarse Fine Even or uniform Medium Fine to medium Fine Medium to coarse Luster High Dull Slightly lustrous Natural Growth Defects Yellowish deposits in vessels Whitish deposits in vessels Whitish deposits in vessels Natural Durability Durable Resistant to termites Moderately durable Very durable Moderately durable Non durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Very durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Resistant to attack from marine borers Perishable Heartwood has low natural resistance to decay and wood destroying organisms Timber from Puerto Rico is susceptible to attack by dry-wood termites, while Philippine woods are rated as resistant Weathering Excellent Odor Has a taste Freshly-Cut wood has a strong odor similar to turpentine Kiln Schedules Dry at a moderate speed Dry at a slow speed Drying Defects Distortion Collapse Checking Severe end splitting Severe surface checking Severe cupping Moderate twist/warp Moderate surface checking Moderate end spitting The timber may warp and check considerably during seasoning Ease of Drying Rapidly Reconditioning Treatement Fairly Easy Difficult Easy Dries at a moderate rate with little degrade. Controlled drying conditions will prevent rapid drying and yield best results. Air-Seasoning under cover to 25% moisture content before kiln-drying Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Product Sources The timber is abundant within its natural range and in several warmer regions around the globe where it is cultivated. Although the wood is scarce on the U.S. market, it is fairly easy to acquire. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good General finishing qualities are rated as poor Generally strong and durable Heavy and strong Blunting Effect Little Blunting effect on machining is severe Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe The wood exerts severe blunting effect on cutting edges, and requires specially tipped cutters Boring Fairly difficult to very difficult Easy Carving Fair to Good Results Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Difficult to saw Saw teeth may blunt or become choked by torn grain Gluing Fair to Good Results Poor gluing properties Mortising Fair to Good Results Finishes well Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Movement in Service Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Excellent Stability - Small Movement Large Nailing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Difficult to nail Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Planes to a poor finish Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Heartwood is resistant Heartwood is extremely resistant Sapwood is moderately resistant Difficult to treat with preservatives Resistance to Splitting Excellent Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Difficult to machine Easy to machine Routing & Recessing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Sanding Good sanding finish Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Difficult to turn Veneering Qualities The timber is too dense and heavy to make conversion into veneers practical Polishing Surface Preparation Good results Satisfactory results Staining Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Requires surface preparation Strength Properties Bending strength (MOR) = high Bending strength (MOR) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = low Bending strength (MOR) = very high Density (dry weight) = 53 - 60 lbs Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 13319 20638 psi Crushing Strength 1552 2648 psi Density 61 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2465 lbs Impact Strength 55 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 6864 10227 psi Shearing Strength 2464 psi Static Bending 8744 14705 psi Stiffness 2117 2555 1000 psi Toughness 745 inch-lbs Specific Gravity 0.76 0.87 Weight 60 49 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Volumetric Shrinkage 15 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 936 1451 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 109 186 kg/cm2 Density 977 kg/m3 Hardness 1118 kg Impact Strength 139 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 482 719 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 173 kg/cm2 Static Bending 614 1033 kg/cm2 Stiffness 148 179 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 858 cm-kg Specific Gravity 0.76 0.87 Weight 961 785 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % References Alston, A.S.,1966,Natural Heartwood Durability,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva. Fiji timbers and their uses No. 2 Armstrong, F.H.,1951,Resistance to Wear of Afzelia as Flooring,Wood,16(9, pp338-9 Arno, J. 1992. Casuarina spp. - Casuarina. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 96-97. Audas, J.W.,Native Trees of Australia,Whitcombe & Tombs PTY. Ltd Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48 Bolza, E.,1975,Properties and Uses of 175 Timber Species from Papua New Guinea and West,Irian,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Building Research Report,no.34 Bourdillon, T.F.,1908,The Forest Trees of Travancore,Travancore Government Press Browne, F.G.,1955,Forest Trees of Sarawak and Brunei and their Products.,Government Printing Office, Kuching, Sarawak Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No.5 Philippines and Japan,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Burgess, P.F.,1966,Timbers of Sabah,Sabah Forest Record, no.6 Cause, M.L., Et al,1974,The Nomenclature, Density and Lyctus - Susceptibility of Queensland,Timbers,Queensland Forestry Department Pamphlet 13 Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London Curran, C.E., Et al,1934,The pulping of cafeput (Melaleuca leucadendron, white mangrove,(Lagunculana racemosa, Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia, and,cunningham pine (Casuarina cunninghamiana) by the sulphate process,Paper Trade Journal Tappi Section 22 pp288-91 Dale, I.R., Greenway, P.J.,1961,Kenya Trees and Shrubs,Buchanans Kenya Estates Ltd. Nairobi Hatchards London Desch, H.E.,1954,Manual of Malayan Timbers (2 vols,Malayan Forest Records,no.15 E.H. Walker,1954,Important Trees of the Ryukyu Islands,United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands Special Bulletin,No. 3 Eddowes, P.J.,1977,Commercial Timbers of Papua New Guinea: Their Properties and Uses,Hebano Press, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea France - C.T.F.T.,1965,Filao (Casuarina equisetifolia,C.T.F.T. Information techniques No.225 Gamble, J.S.,1902,A Manual of Indian Timbers,Sampson Low, Marston & Co. London Keating, W.G., Bolza, E.,1982,Characteristics properties and uses of timbers. South East Asia, Northern,Australia and the Pacific,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Chemical Technology,Inkata Press,1 Keay, R.W.J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Revised Version of Nigerian Trees. Clarendon Press, Oxford. Kraemer, J.H.,1951,Trees of the Western Pacific Region,West Lafayette, Indiana U.S.A. Lauricio, F. M., and S. B. Bellosillo. The Mechanical and Related Properties of Philippine Woods. The Lumberman, 12(5): A-H. Limaye, V. D. 1954. Grouping of Indian Timbers and their Properties, Uses and Suitability. Indian Forest Records, New Series. Timber Mechanics, Vol. 1, No. 2, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, India. Limaye, V. D. and B. R. Sen. 1956. Weights and Specific Gravities of Indian Woods. Indian Forest Records (New Series). Timber Mechanics. Volume 1 No. 4. Manager of Publications (Publisher, Delhi. Limaye, V.D.,1933,The Physical and Mechanical Properties of woods grown in India (Third,Interim Report on Project 1,Indian Forest Records,18(10,pp1-70 Little, E.L.,1948,A Collection of Tree Specimens from Western Ecuador,Caribbean Forester,9(3,pp215-98 Longwood, F.R.,1961,Puerto Rican Woods - Their Machining Seasoning and Related Characteristics,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.205 McCann, C.,1947,Trees of India: A Popular Handbook,D.B.Taraporevala Sons & Co. Bombay Nation Research Council,1980,Firewood Crops Shrub and Tree Species for Energy Production,National Academy of Sciences, Washington D.C. Nazma,1981,A handbook of Kerala Timbers,Kerala Forest Research Institute Research Report, No.9 Ng, F.S.P.,1978,Tree Flora of Malaya A Manual for Foresters Volume 3,Forest Department Ministry of Primary Industries Malaysia Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Pearson, R.S., Brown, H.P.,1932,Commercial Timbers of India,Govt. Printer Calcutta,2 vols Reyes, L.J.,1938,Philippine Woods,Commonwealth of the Philippines Department of Agriculture and Commerce,Technical Bulletin,No.7 Sarawak Forestry Department,1953,Trees and Timbers of Sarawak and Brunei,Sarawak Forest Department Leaflet No.10 Smythies, B.E.,1965,Common Sarawak Trees,Borneo Literature Bureau Sono, P.,1974,Merchantable Timbers of Thailand.,Forest Products Research Division, Royal Forest Department, Bangkok,,Thailand. Swabey, C.,1941,The Principal Timbers of Jamaica,Department of Science and Agriculture Jamaica Bulletin No.29 Takahashi, A.,1975,Compilation of data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part 2,Central and South America,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No.4 Tewari, M.C., Jain, J.C.,1980,Utilization of Secondary Species,Journal of the National Building Organization 25(2) pp1-6 Thomas, R.J., Gilmore, R.C.,1962,The Machining Characteristics of Casuarina glanca, Casuarina equisetifolia,and Melalenca leucadendron,Department of Wood Science and Technology; School of Forestry, North,Carolina State College, Technical Report 16 Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center- Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom. Yoji Kikata (ed.,1991,The promotion of Lesser-known Species and Plantation-grown species,Proceedings of the International Forest Products Workshop, 14 to 15,October, 1991, Nagoya University, Japan