Essential oils

Sandalwood

Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) has been harvested from the semi-arid and arid areas of Western Australia for over one hundred and fifty years. It has been sold particularly to south-east Asian countries for the manufacture of incense and perfumes. The major extractive is santalol.

Trials of Indian sandalwood (S. alba) have been established near Kununurra, but information on the development of heartwood and the consequent oil contents is limited. In the south of the State trials on growing sandalwood (S. spicatum) by establishing these parasitic plants on a host tree such as jam (Acacia acuminata) are continuing.

Eucalyptus oil

Oil mallees are one group of eucalypt species that have very high oil content in the leaves. While the oils have complex chemistry, the major constituent is cineole. The oil can be used as an industrial solvent or for medicinal purposes.

The species recommended for large-scale plantings in the Wheatbelt to reduce salinity effects and produce a commercial crop are E. horistes, E loxophleba subsp lissophloia and E. polybractea.