Sandalwood

Santalum spicatum

Sandalwood is a parasitic small tree that establishes on the roots of host trees such as raspberry jam. It is commonly 2 to 3 m tall, growing occasionally to 8 m, and the bark is rough, dark brown to black. It grows in the Pilbara, Gascoyne, Murchison and Goldfields, and is widely distributed from Shark Bay through the Wheatbelt and Goldfields to the South Coast. It also grows in South Australia.

Wood description [more info]
Heartwood is yellow-brown with a distinctive fragrance.

Wood density [more info]
Green density is about 960 kg/m3, air-dry density about 900 kg/m3, and basic density about 785 kg/m3.

Shrinkage [more info]
Tangential and radial shrinkage are about 1.6 and 1.4 per cent respectively.

Workability [more info]
Goldfields craftsmen rate salmon gum as good for turning, machinability, boring, screwholding, stability, sanding, gluing and finishing.

Durability [more info]
-

Strength group and properties [more info]
AS2878 gives sandalwood as provisional (S3) and (SD4), and the air-dry density data confirm this rating. The more important strength properties based on the strength groups are given in the table below.

Uses [more info]
The major use has been for joss (incense) sticks in south-east Asian countries, and the wood commands a very high price. Sandalwood was the major export from Western Australia until the gold discoveries of the 1890s. The timber makes very attractive inlays in marquetry, as well as being used for other craft items. The shavings are used for potpourri.

Availability [more info]
Sandalwood is currently available through Wescorp Ltd, based in Perth, which is the sole licensee in Western Australia.