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15.—SHE-OAK (Casuarina Fraseriana).
A tree attaining a height of 40 to 45 feet, with a bole 10 to 15 feet, and a diameter of two feet six inches.
Weight per cubic foot (green)—60lbs.
At 12 per cent, moisture—52lbs.
Transverse strength—12,000lbs. per square inch.
Tensile strength—9,000lbs. per square inch.
A sound wood with broad medullary rays, which show up and make the timber particularly beautiful when cut on the quarter. It takes a good polish and stands up well, and therefore makes an excellent cabinet wood. It makes a good ox yoke. It splits well, and was used almost exclusively in the early days of the colony for roofing shingles. A shingle taken from one of the first-erected houses in Perth (after 83 years' use) was found to be in a splendid state of preservation. Bush fires have played havoc with this species, and it will only be by a sound system of fire control that the future supplies of this valuable timber can be assured. It grows scattered through the length and breadth of the jarrah belt, but is not to be found in the drier regions.
The bark is persistent, greyish, and deeply channelled longitudinally.
The. fruits of the Sheoak are known as "Cones." These, in the case of Casuarina Fraseriana are almost globular, about an inch in diameter, slightly flattened on top, and the valves, or openings which let out the seeds are a light brown inside, and open widely.
