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Santalum Austrocaledonicum

Scientific Name: Santalum austrocaledonicum

Distribution: New Caledonia and Vanuatu

Cultivation: Plantation Grown and wild

Janka Hardness: 980

Color/Appearance: The heartwood is yellowish, darken with age

Odor: Extremely sweet, smooth, woody, santalol-rich, with a very long, deep, sweet-wood dry down.

Grain/Texture: S Album generally has a straight grain. fine-grained texture.

Workability: Sawdust may clog up saw teeth. The gluing properties are moderate due to a greasy surface. It planes to a smooth finish and polishes well.

Odor: Has a distinctive deep soft, warm, smooth, creamy, and milky precious-wood scent

Sustainability: listed on the IUCN Red is listed as Near Threatened.

Common Uses: An essential oil is extracted from the heartwood. A high quality oil, it is used for cosmetics and perfumery, incense, and religious ceremonies. The heartwood is used as an incense grated wood is traditionally used to scent coconut oil. It has been used for making boxes, carvings, and small fancy articles. The wood is rarely used as a timber because of its high value as a source of an essential oil.