Sandalwood

Sandalwood has deep cultural roots, especially in South Asian traditions. Its wood and oil are central to Hindu and Buddhist rituals, used in incense, meditation, and religious carvings. In India, Mysore sandalwood is revered for its quality and heritage. The calming scent of sandalwood is woven into spiritual practices, ceremonies, and traditional medicine across Asia and beyond.

• Sandalwood trees are hemiparasitic, relying on host plants for survival.
• The heartwood takes 15–20 years to develop its signature aroma and oil.
• Santalum album oil is considered the highest quality sandalwood oil globally.
• Overharvesting has made wild sandalwood populations increasingly rare and threatened.
• The name "sandalwood" is sometimes used for unrelated species, leading to confusion in trade and conservation.

Sandalwood trees play a distinctive role in their ecosystems as hemiparasites, forming connections with host plants to supplement their water and nutrient needs. This relationship influences the composition of surrounding plant communities. Their flowers attract small pollinators, and mature trees provide habitat and resources for various insects and birds. The decline of wild populations can disrupt these ecological interactions.

• Indian sandalwood (Santalum album): Native to India and Southeast Asia, renowned for its superior oil and fragrance.
• Australian sandalwood (Santalum spicatum): Found in Western Australia, valued for oil and adapted to arid climates.
• Hawaiian sandalwood (Santalum paniculatum): Native to Hawaii, historically significant and now rare due to overharvesting.

Sandalwood species are native to southern India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia, with related species in Australia and Hawaii. They thrive in tropical and subtropical woodlands, often growing in dry, well-drained soils. The trees require proximity to suitable host plants for optimal growth, and their natural habitats are increasingly fragmented due to human activity.

Growing sandalwood requires patience and careful site selection. Propagation is usually by seed, though tissue culture and grafting are used in commercial plantations. Young trees must be planted near suitable host species to support their hemiparasitic needs. Protection from fungal diseases and root rot is important, and sustainable harvesting practices are essential to ensure long-term yields. Optimal oil production takes decades, so growers must plan for the long term.

Wild sandalwood populations face serious threats from overharvesting, habitat loss, and disease. The high market value of sandalwood oil has led to illegal logging and depletion of natural stands, especially in India and Southeast Asia. Conservation efforts include legal protection, reforestation, and the establishment of managed plantations to reduce pressure on wild trees and ensure the species' survival.

Sandalwood is economically vital for its essential oil, a luxury ingredient in perfumes, incense, and cosmetics. The wood is carved into religious icons and decorative objects, especially in India. Powdered sandalwood is used in rituals, while extracts are valued in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for their calming and anti-inflammatory properties. Australian sandalwood also supports local industries, though its oil differs in composition and market value.

Sandalwood carries rich symbolic meaning in many cultures. In Hinduism and Buddhism, its scent is associated with purity, meditation, and spiritual elevation. Sandalwood paste is applied during religious ceremonies and rites of passage. Folklore often regards sandalwood as a tree of peace and healing, its aroma believed to calm the mind and invite blessings.

• Look for a small to medium tree with a slender trunk and grayish bark.
• Leaves are opposite, simple, leathery, and glossy green on top.
• Flowers are small, clustered in panicles, and range from white to reddish.
• The presence of host plants nearby can indicate sandalwood due to its hemiparasitic nature.
• Scratch the heartwood gently—mature sandalwood releases a distinctive, lingering fragrance.