I am wondering what species would be suitable to plant in between some cassureena. I have two rows approximatly 4 metres apart with tree spacings of approx 4 metres. Is there a fruit tree that would thrive in such a position? I was even contemplating sandalwood trees. It is quite shady but I have begun removing most of the lower branches and this has increased the available light somewhat. The cassureenas would have to be at least 5 metres or more tall.
I was reading recently that Banana's were good companions to Casuarina. I've never grown either though so can't answer from personal experience.
depends on the species, there are a number. actually is more dependant on your soil type as to what species are there. sandy, or boggy? bannanas sound appropriate if the soil is a bit boggy. not too clued up on what grows in sandy soils personally, so add a bit of info on that and the others may have some suggestions.
I am unsure of the exact species. The soil is quite heavy clay but it is on a high point of the property so standing water is not a problem. Hmmn bananas I hadn't thought of them, so I guess any subtropical understory plant would work really. What about coffee?
I might be completely wrong, but I wouldn't think you would get much to grow under a casuarina. The acidity of the soil due to the pines makes it virtually inhospitable to anything else. I know strawberries love acid soil, as do blueberries, and neither need huge amounts of light. Maybe they would work? Although as memory serves me, I think blueberries need clay soils, so it will also depend on what soils you have.
Great tree- In some tropical lowland agroforestry systems it is associated with crops such as coffee, cashew nut, coconut, groundnut, sesame and various grain legumes. https://www.winrock.org/fnrm/factnet/factpub/FACTSH/C_equisetifolia.html
Thanks for that permasculptor, I have thought about growing cashew nut trees as I have heard that they are really easy to grow around these parts. But I am put off by stories of processing the nuts to remove the nasty acid. It might be worth a try though.