Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak Plant Care
Casuarina pauper F.Muell. ex L.A.S.Johnson
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Casuarina pauper, commonly known as black oak, belah or kariku, is a species of flowering plant in the family Casuarinaceae and is endemic to southern continental Australia. It is a dioecious tree with fissured or scaly bark, waxy branchlets, the leaves reduced to scales in whorls of 9 to 13, the fruit 13–18 mm (0.51–0.71 in) long containing winged seeds (samaras) 5.5–7.0 mm (0.22–0.28 in) long.
Every 14–21 days
Full sun
60–90°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak?
Plant Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak in full sun (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 14–21 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–90°F (16–32°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak Native To?
What Is the Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak?
Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak (Casuarina pauper) belongs to the Casuarinaceae family within the Casuarina genus. Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak is native to southern continental Australia.
Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak displays a tall, slender tree growth habit, reaching up to 50 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak produces small, inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak?
Water a young or newly planted Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak every 14–21 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 14–21 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak Need?
Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak Prefer?
Casuarina pauper tolerates temperatures of 60–90°F. Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–90°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak?
Well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak?
Feed Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak?
Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak is suited to USDA Zone 13a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak?
Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 50 ft (15 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak?
Prune Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.
How Do You Care for a Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak in Winter?
Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak?
Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to belah plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak?
Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak is susceptible to scale insects, borers. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak Need?
Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak is native to southern continental Australia. In cooler regions, grow Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Casuarina genus — compare its care with other Casuarina species on PlantoScan.
Casuarina is part of the Casuarinaceae plant family — browse all Casuarinaceae genera and species.
Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Casuarina pauper F.Muell. ex L.A.S.Johnson, family Casuarinaceae (first published in Fl. Australia 3: 202 (1989)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Dwarf Mallee, Dwarf Oak, Mallee Oak, Desert Oak, False Oak, Scrub Oak, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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