Is sandalwood a tree?
Mia Moss
Published Jan 09, 2026
S. album, commonly known as Indian Sandalwood, is a dry deciduous forest species native to China, India, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines. This small tropical tree grows to 20m high with red wood and a variety of dark colors of bark (dark brown, reddish and dark grey).
What type of tree is Sandalwood?
sandalwood, any semiparasitic plant of the genus Santalum (family Santalaceae), especially the fragrant wood of the true, or white, sandalwood, Santalum album. The approximately 10 species of Santalum are distributed throughout southeastern Asia and the islands of the South Pacific.Is Sandalwood a plant?
Sandalwood (Santalum sp.) is a large shrub or tree hardy in zones 10-11. While there are over 100 species of sandalwood plants, most varieties are native to India, Hawaii or Australia. Depending on variety and location, sandalwood may grow as 10-foot-tall (3 m.)Why is it called sandalwood?
The botanic name Santalum is probably derived from the Sanskrit word candrĂ¡h meaning shining, white, and describes the light colour of the wood. Album also means white. The oldest mention of sandalwood goes back to the fifth century BCE and is to be found in the Nirukta, a commentary on the Vedas of ancient India.What is the sandalwood tree used for?
The sweet, powerful, and lasting odor has made sandalwood oil useful in the perfume industry, soaps, candles, incense, folk medicine, and religious and cultural purposes for centuries. In addition, the wood and its powder are used for religious and medicinal purposes, and the food industry, especially in India.Why Sandalwood Is So Expensive | So Expensive
Can I eat sandalwood?
When taken by mouth: White sandalwood is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in food amounts. But it is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth as a medicine for longer than 6 weeks. There have been reports of kidney damage with prolonged use. White sandalwood can also cause itching, nausea, and stomach upset.Why sandalwood is so expensive?
Sandalwood is expensive compared to other types of woods, so to maximize profit, sandalwood is harvested by removing the entire tree instead of sawing it down at the trunk close to ground level. This way wood from the stump and root, which possesses high levels of sandalwood oil, can also be processed and sold.Is sandalwood a flower?
Santalum album is an evergreen tree. It can grow to a height of 20 m and attain a girth of over 1.5 m. It flowers and fruits twice a year during March-April and September-October.Which country has most sandalwood?
India contributes 90 per cent of the sandalwood oil production in the world.Who is the king of the sandalwood?
Words would fall short to describe Sandalwood superstar Shiva Rajkumar. Son of late legendary actor Dr Rajkumar, the stalwart was born on July 12, 1961, as Nagaraju Shiva Puttaswamy.Why sandals are illegal in India?
The bark contains tannin, which is used for dye. Because S. album is highly valued in India and uncontrolled harvesting have cause populations to dwindle in recent years, India has imposed an export ban on Sandalwood and instated conservation measures to protect the species in the country.Can we grow Chandan tree?
Growing sandalwood by individuals was banned until 2002. Today, we can grow the trees but it is illegal to cut and harvest the wood, use it or sell it in the open market. Permission is required from the state forest department, which sends its officials to cut the tree and buy the sandalwood.Where is sandalwood tree in India?
The wood is used for carving and manufacturing incense. Generally S. album is found in the dry deciduous forests of Deccan Plateau, mostly in the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, The evergreen tree regenerates naturally when conditions are favorable and has been spreading in its distribution.Which tree is most costly?
The 5 Most Expensive Trees in the World
- Sandalwood-- $20,000 per tree. ...
- African Blackwood-- $10,000 per kilogram. ...
- Agar Wood-- $10,000 per kilogram. ...
- Bocote-- $30 per board. ...
- Pink Ivory-- $8 per board.