Discover everything you need to know about growing white sandalwood.

In the past, it was believed that Andhra Pradesh’s sandalwood cultivation was the primary economic engine, accounting for the whole state budget.

While the cultivation of sandalwood has long been known in India, it was mostly restricted to the state governments’ plantations and forests in South India. However, in 2002, these governments modified their positions to permit the cultivation of sandalwood.

The regulations controlling the growing of sandalwood have been loosened by the Andhra Pradesh State Forest Department in an effort to avert a scarcity in the near future. The forest department allows individuals to freely own and cultivate sandalwood, and there are proposals to modify the Andhra Pradesh Tree Act of 1927.

A private person’s sandalwood tree is given permission to be chopped down after being carefully inspected by the authorities. When all formalities are finished, the fallen tree is hauled to the sandalwood storage and auctioned. This precious tree’s private sandalwood plantation is currently growing rapidly.
Primary Elements One of the primary qualities of Indian sandalwood is its aromatic, fragrant wood, which is highly prized.

Cosmetics, aromatherapy, scents, and medicinal formulations all employ sandalwood oil. One extremely valuable material used in carving is sandalwood. Indian sandalwood, which is said to have the greatest content, has up to 6% oil and 90% of ⍶ and β santalols.

In the worldwide markets, sandalwood is in tremendous demand (20,000 metric tons and 1,000 tonnes, respectively), and the existing global supply cannot keep up with this demand, which has led sandalwood prices to surge. The cultivation of sandalwood is a very profitable and low-maintenance endeavor. To find out more about the cultivation procedure and maintenance details, keep reading.

In order for the trees to flourish healthily, you need the correct climate, land, soil, and irrigation system if you wish to participate in sandalwood farming. You have to plan the entire process ahead of time in order to achieve a good ROI (Return on Investment).

Weather Situation

Tropical and subtropical regions with hot, humid temperatures are the ideal growing conditions for sandalwood trees. The cultivation requires areas at fairly higher altitudes and temperatures between 12 and 40 degrees Celsius.

Harvesting

The only wood that is sold worldwide by weight is sandalwood, and cultivating it can have a huge financial return. The price per kilogram of premium sandalwood is around Rs 20,000. A sandalwood tree’s heartwood may be harvested 12 to 15 years after planting, with development starting around age eight.

The demand for sandalwood is high in both local and international markets. Thus, making an investment in sandalwood growth will pay off handsomely.

An acre of land could yield between 15,000 and 20,000 kg of sandalwood. The cost of cultivating sandalwood is estimated to be between Rs 15 and Rs 20 lakh per acre, with potential revenues ranging from Rs 3 to Rs 5 crore.
Required Soil

Numerous soil types, such as rocky hard ground, black soil rich in clay, sandy soil, and red clay-rich soil, are suitable for the growth of sandalwood. It even holds up well in gravelly soil. The pH of the soil has to fall between 6 and 7.5.

Watering

Plants that grow sandalwood need less water. Throughout the summer, the young sandalwood plants require watering once every two to three weeks. In the event of rain, they might not need irrigation.

• There are few white sandalwood trees.
• These woods are hefty, golden in color, fine-grained, and keep their perfume for decades, unlike many other aromatic species of wood.
• The life expectancy of white sandalwood is up to 100 years.
• It doesn’t hurt the host all that much, but it may survive as a parasite in the roots of other trees.
• Heartwood is available in a range of colors, from white to light green.
• After three years, the leaves start to become thin and the fruit starts to grow.

Applications

Since its oil and powder are astringents and antiseptics that also act to cure skin conditions like eczema and acne, they are used in health and beauty products.

• Used for bronchitis, the common cold, and sore throat therapy.
• Help in treating disorders including liver and gallbladder troubles, cardiovascular disease, and others
• White sandalwood is sometimes used as a flavoring agent in several dishes.
• Its oil is used in soaps, perfumes, candles, and medications for its smell.
• The isomer of sandalwood oil called santol is utilized in aromatherapy goods.
• The outer wood is discarded and used to fashion beads and figurines.