This medium size tree has a stately conical habit with branchlets that tend to turn upwards when mature. It has dark green needle-like leaves and the tiny brown flowers appear in a spike from autumn to spring followed by ovoid woody fruit.

Hardiness zones 9 to 11 

Casuarina cristata is naturally found in Australia from New South Wales to Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia growing on hillsides and the tablelands. 

It prefers an open sunny position and grows in dry to very wet, moderately fertile soil, tolerating heavy clay soils and is drought and frost resistant.

Belah is a versatile attractive tree that is grown in parks and gardens as a lawn specimen for shade or used along borders for screening. It is also grown in woodland settings or used for fodder. It fixes its own nitrogen allowing it to grow in poor sandy soils and is fast growing, establishing in 2 to 3 years. ID 921

Casuarina (kazh-yoo-ar-EYE-nuh) cristata (kris-tä-tä)

Casuarinaceae (KAS-ew-rin-AY-see-ee)