Sandalwood tree is a small to medium evergreen tree attaining a height of 13 to 16meters and a girth of 2 to 3meters. It grows well Under partial shade in the early stages but shows intolerance to heavy overhead shade in the middle and late stages of its growth.
Sandalwood is the fragrant heartwood of some species of genus Santalum (Santalaceae). All the sandalwood oil or fragrant wood traded in international market comes from species in the genus Santalum (Family Santalaceae). The genera contain 56 Species but at present 16 recognised species, and more than 12 varieties, distributed throughout the world. Out of them only, few species, produce commercially exploitable scented heartwood…those are the as fallows…
Introduction of Sandalwood
1. Santalum album(India,Aus & Srilanka)
2.Santalum yasi(Fiji)
3.S. spicatum(Australia)
4.S. austrocaledonicum
5.S. lanceolatum
6.S. ellipticum
7.S. paniculatum.
These species are important for their fragrant scented heartwood and for essential oil. Other species of Santalum also produce fragrant heartwood and oil; however their contribution to essential oil industry is limited. Sandalwood wood is also an excellent material for carving and to make curious handicrafts.
All species occur in natural forest in different habitats. Most of the species are over exploited and are under threat as endangered species. The demand for the scented heartwood and natural sandalwood oil is increasing and the supply is on the decline. Because of inconsistent supply, the prices have gone up very steeply depriving its use in various industries. The only alternate is to produce sandalwood commercially with high input and management technique to make a short-term rotation crop.
Natural Distribution of Sandalwood:
Santalum album Linn is distributed between 30°N and 40°S from Indonesia in the West to Juan Fernandez Islands in the East and from the Hawaiian Archipelago the North to New Zealand in the South.
In Indian point of you , it is found distributed all over the country and more than 70% is found in the southern states of Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala. Other states where sandalwood trees are found are, Andhra Pradesh, Maharastra, Madhya Pradesh…..etc, It has now been introduced to many parts of India where it was not naturally distributed. Sandalwood has no definite geographical boundary, it can adapt well into new environments.
Vernacular Names:
Sandalwood in different languages are called as…
Sanskrit: Chandna, Sri Ghanda, Krishna Chandana,
Hindi: Chandan, Chandal, Sandal, Safaid Chandan. Kannada: Sri Ghanda
Telugu: Chandanum, Chandana Chettu.
Tamil: Sri Ghandam Sandanam.
English: Sandal
Sandalwood Tree Habit:
Soil Ph: 6.5 to 8.2
Types of Soils: Redsoils,stony and gravelly soils are Known to have more highly scented wood.
Temperature: 0℃ to 46℃
Rainfall: 800 to 1600mm
Sea level : Up to 1600m to 1800m
Commercial Uses of Sandalwood:
Its wood is known commercially as “East Indian sandalwood” and the distilled essential oil from it as “East Indian Sandalwood Oil”. Sandalwood oil is one of the oldest perfumery materials and commercially important. Both wood and oil are used in….. incense sticks, joss -sticks, Attar preparations, Chewing scented tobacoo, Mouth fresheners, perfumes Industries, soaps Industries, Toilet cleaners, Face pack, Cancer treatment, and medicines.
National & International Marketing:
India was a major producer of East Indian Sandalwood and its oil. Its contribution to the world market was 80% to 85% during past years. There are many industries in India and abroad depending on sandalwood powder,heart wood and oil. The official figures of production of oil is about Hundreds of tonnes per annum. However, the consumption in India is much more than production. Nearly tonnes of oil was exported to countries like USA, UK, France, Middle East, China, and Hong Kong. Taiwan etc. It is difficult to estimate the volume of wood, being
