This plant is known as the “golden treasure of the green forest.”
An Exotic Plant with Multiple Uses
In recent years, the trend in many areas of Vietnam has been to replace less effective crops with new ones that provide better economic value. Many farmers have chosen a particular plant for experimental cultivation, leading to significant economic success.
This plant is the sandalwood tree, scientifically known as Santalum album L, belonging to the Santalaceae family. It originates from East Timor and is distributed in India, China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan), and Indonesia. In Vietnam, sandalwood has been researched and has successfully been experimented with in several areas of Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Thanh Hoa, and Binh Dinh.
Many farmers have chosen a plant for experimental cultivation, leading to significant economic success. (Photo: ISAF).
Sandalwood has a distinctive yellow color, is heavy in weight, and has a fine, beautiful grain. It is considered one of the rarest and most valuable types of wood in the world. This wood was first discovered in South India, which is often referred to as its homeland.
The sandalwood tree typically thrives in arid areas, reaching a height of 4 to 7 meters when mature. Sandalwood is not only precious for its quality but also for the cultural and spiritual significance it carries. In India, where sandalwood is highly revered, it frequently appears in religious rituals and is used for purifying the body and soul.
The sandalwood tree is also known as “green gold” (Photo: ISAF).
The sandalwood tree is economically valuable due to its potential for using all parts, from the heartwood, roots, leaves, seeds, to wood chips for producing essential oils and cosmetics, which is why it is often referred to as “green gold.”
A Plant that Brings Economic Value to Farmers
Sandalwood comes in two main types: white wood and red wood, each having its unique characteristics.
The powder from sandalwood roots is widely used in the beauty industry to create high-end cosmetic products and natural skincare items. Powder from the wood shavings and small branches is utilized in skincare and beauty products.
The leaves of the sandalwood tree are processed into premium teas and beverages. The fruit and seeds can be consumed directly or used to extract essential oils.
Sandalwood root powder is widely used in the beauty industry (Photo: ISAF).
The distinctive aroma of sandalwood is very special, with the ability to retain fragrance for decades. When processed into oil, sandalwood fetches a high price in the market, with prices reaching up to $8,000 for a liter, equivalent to about 200 million VND. Sandalwood oil is likened to “liquid gold” due to its high value. In modern times, sandalwood oil is commonly used in the production of soaps, perfumes, and incense.
Soaps made from sandalwood oil are renowned for their antibacterial properties and natural moisturizing benefits, providing comfort to users. The pleasant scent of sandalwood also helps improve mood and create a refreshing ambiance, making this product highly popular.
The heartwood of sandalwood is priced at around $350 per kg in India and $450 per kg in Vietnam. In markets like China and Taiwan, these prices are even higher. With its outstanding characteristics and utility, sandalwood is sometimes referred to as “rare green gold.” However, this plant faces the risk of extinction due to uncontrolled harvesting.
The heartwood of sandalwood is priced at around $350 per kg in India (Photo: ISAF).
The sandalwood tree can adapt to various soil types, including sandy, red, heavy clay, lateritic, and gravel soils; however, it is essential that the soil has good drainage as the tree cannot tolerate waterlogging. After three years of cultivation, the tree starts producing leaves, and from the fourth to the thirteenth year, it will bear fruit with an output of 1.5 kg per tree annually. When the sandalwood tree reaches 13 years of age or older, harvesting of the precious wood begins, yielding 20-30 kg of heartwood per tree, including trunk heartwood, root heartwood, and branches.
The current market prices for various products from the sandalwood tree are as follows: fresh leaves are priced at around 100,000 VND/kg; fruits range from 150,000-200,000 VND/kg. In an interview with Dan Viet newspaper, Dr. Vu Thoai, Chairman of the Scientific Council at the Vietnam Sandalwood and Rare Plant Research Institute, stated that one hectare of sandalwood can generate an income of 500-700 million VND, from the leaf and fruit harvesting phase to the complete harvesting of wood from the trunk and roots.
The sandalwood tree can adapt to various soil types (Photo: ISAF).
However, Dr. Vu Thoai noted that income from sandalwood cultivation does not solely depend on planting density but also on care processes and what other crops are intercropped with sandalwood.
