Indian Sandalwood Tree (Santalum album)
Scientific Name: Santalum album — Indian Sandalwood.
Native Home: Southern India, especially Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Height: 4–15 metres.
Lifespan: Around 50–100 years under suitable conditions.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Aromatic heartwood is highly valuable for carving, handicrafts and fragrance products.
Harvesting: Heartwood and roots are harvested from mature trees under applicable laws and regulations.
Age to Harvest: Often around 15–25 years or longer for valuable heartwood, depending on growing conditions.
Products: Sandalwood oil, incense, perfumes, carvings and traditional products.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Used for centuries in perfumes, incense, religious ceremonies and traditional practices.
Global Spread: Native to the Indian subcontinent and cultivated in other tropical regions. High demand and illegal felling have led to strict controls on harvesting and trade in some areas.
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