NATIVE
RANGE
Malaysia, southern Asia, Oceania and Australia
DESCRIPTION
Australian pine is a deciduous
tree with a soft, wispy, pine-like appearance that can grow to 100 feet or
more in height. Also known as ironwood, beefwood, she oak and horsetail tree,
it bears a superficial resemblance to the conifer genus Pinus because
of its small, round, cone-like fruits and its branchlets of scale-like leaves
that look like pine needles. Its flowers are tiny, brown and wind-pollinated.
The fruit is a nutlet about ½ inch in diameter that contains winged
seeds.
ECOLOGICAL THREAT
Australian pine is
fast-growing (5-10 feet per year), produces dense shade and a thick blanket
of leaves and hard, pointed fruits, that completely covers the ground
beneath it. Dense thickets of Australian pine displace native dune
and beach vegetation, including mangroves and many other resident, beach-adapted
species. Because its roots are capable of producing nitrogen through microbial
associations, Australian pine can colonize nutrient-poor soils. Once
established, it radically alters the light, temperature, and soil chemistry
regimes of beach habitats, as it outcompetes and displaces native plant species
and destroys habitat for native insects and other wildlife. Chemicals in
the leaves of Australian pine may inhibit the growth of other plants underneath
it.
The ground below Australian pine trees becomes
ecologically sterile and lacking in food value for native wildlife. Unlike
native shrubbery, the thick, shallow roots of Australian pine make it much
more susceptible to blow-over during high wind events, leading to increased
beach and dune erosion and interference with the nesting activities of sea
turtles.
DISTRIBUTION
IN THE UNITED STATES
Australian pine is established in the Hawaiian
islands, coastal
Florida, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and many Caribbean islands.
HABITAT IN THE UNITED STATES
Australian
pine occurs in open, coastal strand habitat, characterized by sand and shell
beaches, rocky coasts, sand dunes, and sand bars in subtropical climates.
BIOLOGY & SPREAD
Australian
pine is capable of flowering year- round and can produce tremendous numbers
of small, winged seeds which are dispersed by wind.
BACKGROUND
Australian pine was introduced
to Florida in the late 1800's and planted widely for the purposes of ditch
and canal stabilization, shade and lumber.
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
No biological controls
are currently available for management of Australian pine. For new or small
infestations, manual removal of Australian pine seedlings and saplings is
recommended. For heavier infestations, application of a systemic type herbicide
to bark, cut stumps, or foliage is likely to be the most effective management
tool. Prescribed fire has also been used for large infestations in fire-tolerant
communities.
Raking and removal of leaf litter, cones and
seeds should be done whenever possible. Impacts to native plants should be
minimized during any control activities. Whenever possible, efforts should
be taken to prevent the introduction or encroachment of Australian pine.
For example, recently disturbed beach habitat may be planted with native
vegetation to prevent Australian pine from invading.
USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS.
NOTICE: MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.
CONTACTS
For more information on the management
of Australian Pine, please contact:
- Ken Langeland,
University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agriculture Services, kal at gnv.ifas.ufl.edu
SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE PLANTS
Locally native
plants that are adapted to the harsh conditions of the coastal environment should
be used for landscape planting and beach restoration projects. Because most of
these shrub species are evergreen, they provide year-round shade, erosion control
and essential food and shelter for native wildlife. A few examples of Atlantic
and Caribbean natives include sea grape (Coccoloba
uvifera), sea ox-eye daisy (Borrichia frutescens), sea hibiscus
(Hibiscus tiliaceus), sea lavender (Tournefortia gnaphalodes) and
sea-blight (Suaeda maritima).
OTHER LINKS
AUTHOR
Jil M. Swearingen, National Park Service,
Washington, DC
PHOTOGRAPH
Forest & Kim Starr, US Geological Survey,
HI
REFERENCES
Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. 1991. Exotic
Woody Plant Control. In Florida Cooperative Extension Service, University
of Florida, Ken Langeland, ed. pp 8-9.
Jubinsky, Greg A. and Andrew Leslie. 199?. "Casuarina." Bureau
of Aquatic Plant Management, Technical Services Section, Tallahassee, Florida.
Nellis, David W. 1994. Seashore plants of South
Florida and the Caribbean: a guide to identification and propagation of xeriscape
plants. Pineapple Press, Inc., Sarasota, Florida.
Randall, J.M. and J. Marinelli. 1996. Invasive
Plants: Weeds of the Global Garden. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Club Inc., Handbook
No. 149. Brooklyn, New York. p. 30.
The Nature Conservancy. Australian
Pine: Element Stewardship Abstract. In: Wildland Weeds Management & Research
Program, Weeds on the Web.
Plant Conservation
Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group.
|