Riyadh Plants
Australian Pine, Beefwood, Horsetail Tree, She-Oak
The Horsetail Tree grows fast to about 15 metres high and 4 metres wide. In its homelands, mature trees reach up to 60 metres. It is native to northern Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and New Zealand. Often seen in Arriyadh on farms, where it is planted as a windbreak, it may be damaged by heavy frosts. Some people confuse the tree with Tamarix or athl.. In maturity, the crown becomes flat, but mostly the trees retain their conical shape. The tree’s evergreen foliage consists of pale-green needles, although it is not a conifer. The lower part of the straight trunk is mostly branchless. The light-grey bark is smooth at first, but becomes rough over time. Male and female inflorescences are usually borne on the same plant, but are inconspicuous. Pollination is by wind. Winged nuts are released gradually when ripe and are also the common method of propagation. Alternatively, cuttings are also used to propagate this tree. C. equisetifolia is tolerant of many soil types and both a high water table and several months of drought. Highly salt-tolerant, it thrives in sand. It enhances soil fertility over time by increasing nitrogen and humus. Its landscape values are stabilisation of slopes or banks, screens and windbreaks. For more elegant landscapes, regular pruning is required to improve appearance. Pruning should also be done frequently to remove old and dead branches. Severe cutting back is not tolerated. Leaf litter may be a problem, and aggressive roots may restrict the growth of nearby plants.
