How to Identify Sandalwood Tree

Sandalwood is one of India’s most valuable trees, prized for its aromatic wood, essential oils, and medicinal properties. Native to southern India, particularly Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, the sandalwood tree has been used for centuries in perfumes, religious rituals, and traditional medicine. Due to its high economic value, sandalwood is often misidentified or illegally harvested, making it essential to know how to identify a genuine sandalwood tree in the wild or on private property.

1. General Appearance

• Height and Growth: Sandalwood trees are medium-sized, typically growing 4–9 meters tall. In the wild, they may grow slightly taller.
• Trunk: The tree has a straight, cylindrical trunk with a rough, greyish-brown bark that becomes fissured with age.
• Branches: Branches are slender and spread out irregularly, forming a moderate canopy

2. Leaves

• Sandalwood leaves are evergreen, simple, and opposite in arrangement.
• Shape: Elliptical or lanceolate with a pointed tip.
• Size: Typically 2–7 cm long and 1–3 cm wide.
• Color: Dark green on top and slightly lighter underneath, with smooth, leathery texture.
• A gentle rub releases a mild, characteristic sandalwood aroma from mature leaves.

3. Flowers

• Sandalwood trees bloom small, greenish-yellow to white flowers.
• Arrangement: Flowers grow in axillary clusters, usually inconspicuous but aromatic.
• Flowering generally occurs from January to March, depending on the climate.
• Pollination attracts insects, which play a crucial role in the tree’s reproduction.

4. Fruits and Seeds

• Sandalwood produces small, fleshy, purple-black drupes about 1–1.5 cm in diameter.
• The fruit has a single seed, which is smooth and brown.
• Fruits usually appear in summer and autumn, providing food for birds and animals, which help in seed dispersal.

5. Aromatic Heartwood

• The most valuable feature of a sandalwood tree is its heartwood, which is dense, yellowish-brown, and aromatic.
• The fragrant oil is extracted primarily from the heartwood, not the outer sapwood.
• Scraping a small section of the bark or wood can release the distinct sweet, woody scent of genuine sandalwood.
• Fake or substitute woods like rosewood or neem lack the characteristic fragrance.

6. Root System and Parasitic Nature

• Sandalwood is a semi-parasitic tree, meaning it partially relies on host plants to obtain nutrients.
• Its roots attach to the roots of nearby trees for water and minerals, making it unique compared to fully independent trees.
• Young sandalwood saplings often grow near host plants such as acacia, neem, or tamarind.

7. Habitat and Soil Preference

• Sandalwood thrives in well-drained, red or laterite soils, preferring dry, rocky, or slightly arid conditions.
• It is mostly found in southern India, but cultivation in other parts requires careful soil and climate management.
• The tree is drought-resistant but requires occasional watering during initial growth.

8. Quick Identification Tips

• Look for medium-sized, straight-trunked trees with rough, fissured bark.
• Check the opposite, elliptical, dark-green leaves for mild aroma.
• Observe for small yellowish-white flowers in clusters during blooming season.
• Identify the aromatic yellowish-brown heartwood in older trees.
• Verify proximity to host trees since young sandalwood relies on parasitic roots.

Quick Comparison Table: Sandalwood vs Other Trees

Final Thoughts

Identifying a sandalwood tree requires careful observation of bark, leaves, flowers, fruit, heartwood, and parasitic roots. Awareness of these features is crucial for tree conservation, legal harvesting, and cultivation. Genuine sandalwood not only holds economic value but also plays a significant role in Ayurveda, perfumery, and cultural rituals, making correct identification essential for both enthusiasts and professionals.