Sandalwood

Sandalwood is a class of woods from trees in the genus Santalum. The woods are heavy, yellow, and fine-grained, and unlike many other aromatic woods, they retain their fragrance for decades. Colonization and sea trade in 18th & 19th centauries has introduced several species of sandalwood from Pacific and Oceania to the Sandalwood trade. It’s being used in Asian civilizations since reported history. Thus been a major exports out of Southern India. The Indian Sandalwood (Santalum album) is the well known commodity, which is also found in Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, Indonesia, Hawaii, and other Pacific Islands.

Suitability

The formation of heartwood is best between 600-900m, with an annual rainfall of 850-1200mm. A comparatively cool climate, moderate rainfall and sunshine are the ideal conditions for the development of the heartwood. It can grown in different types of soils like sandy, clay red soils, laterite loam and black cotton soils. Indian Sandalwood is also found native in Sri Lanka. Earlier stages of discovery shows these native trees being found in area like Beragala, Diyaluma in a cold climate. However native trees being later found in intermediate/dry zones as well.

Use of Sandalwood

Both wood and oil are used in incense, perfumes and in medicine. Sandalwood being closely grained and amicable to carving, the wood is suitable for making idols and boxes of exquisite beauty. Major portion of the sandal wood oil is produced by steam distillation of the pulverized heart wood and root. Essential oil distilled is used in cosmetics as a fragrant and a natural fixative. Traditionally East Asian countries (China, Taiwan and Japan) are the largest consumer of these products. Annually 5000 – 6500 tons of Sandalwood is used globally for the above purpose.