A Tree for the Sea-tide.

Manawatu Herald, 28 May 1896, Page 3

A Tree for the Sea-tide.

We were very pleased the other day in having our attention drawn to a very fine specimen of either the He-oak or She-oak, growing in Mr Andrew . Jon son's garden on the Avenue Road. The tree is only five years old and was grown from seed obtained from Australia, yet it stands a good twelve feet high and must be from sis to eight inches in diameter in the stem. Mr Jonson informs us that in Australia this tree grows close to the sea-water, and the salt winds do not hurt it, if this is so the tree should be encouraged.

The tree is a remarkable one and worth growing in any grounds. The scientific name of the tree is the Casimina, and is known in Australia as the Beef wood and Native Oak. Why it was named Casual ma was from the resemblance of the long weeping, leafless branches to the drooping feathers of the Cassowary. This tree is probably the most singularly picturesque trco of the Australian flora. Large trees, with weeping branches, the individual branches being jointed like a bamboo, and streaked between the joints, having no leaves. The timber is as good as the English oak, and is of the colour of raw beef, whence the colonial name. Cattle are extremely fond of the young branches, and the colonists chew them to allay thirst. Mr Jonson, we do not doubt, will be pleased to let any interested see the specimen.