Slaty Sheoak (Allocasuarina muelleriana) seeds

SLATY SHEOAK (Allocasuarina muelleriana)

Quick Facts

• Common Name: Slaty Sheoak
• Botanical Name: Allocasuarina muelleriana
• Height: 1–4 meters
• Flower Color: Red
• Growth Rate: Moderately fast
• Soil Types: Clay, sandy, or rocky siliceous soils
• Habitat: Scrub and heath, common from Bendigo Whipstick to Grampians
• Longevity: Long-lived
• Special Feature: Nitrogen-fixing capability when inoculated with soil from healthy She-Oaks

Why Grow Slaty She-Oak?

• Versatile: Adapts to a wide range of soil types and positions, including clay or very sandy soils.
• Screening Plant: Fast-growing and dense, making it ideal for use as a screen or windbreak.
• Low Maintenance: Thrives in a variety of conditions with minimal care.
• Wildlife Friendly: Provides habitat and food for native fauna.

Bush Tucker Note

• Edible Parts: Young shoots and soft, young cones were traditionally eaten.

Other Uses

• Implements: Wood used to craft tools and implements.
• Water Storage: Natural hollows in trees acted as reservoirs for water after summer rains.

How to Grow

Sowing Instructions:

1. Seed Placement:
   • Bury seeds at a depth of 1–2 times their diameter, or sow on the surface.
2. Timing:
   • Best sown in autumn or winter, apart from very cold regions. Early spring sowing is also suitable.
3. Propagation Tip:
   • Inoculate the propagation mix with soil from around healthy She-Oaks to establish nitrogen-fixing fungi.

Planting & Care:

• Soil: Adaptable to a variety of soil types, including sandy, clay, and rocky.
• Location: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
• Watering: Low water requirements once established.
• Maintenance: Minimal pruning required; prune to shape if necessary.

Direct Sowing:

This species is highly suitable for direct sowing, making it an excellent choice for large-scale revegetation projects.

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Add the Slaty Sheoak to your garden for its versatility, resilience, and traditional uses. Perfect for creating natural screens and enriching your soil!