We cultivate sandalwood a quiet farm in Pondicherry. That white sandal even exists in the wild is remarkable as it is a hemiparasite - it needs a host tree to thrive - even in wild forests generous teams make great things happen. Since it takes more than 30 years for Sandalwood to yield scented heartwood, cultivating sandalwood is a lovely gift to the distant future. #worthit


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Tree Babies

Caring for White Sandal saplings is most labour-intensive in the first year. Since there isn't an undergrowth they need shade, water and shrubs like lentil plants to form temporary haustoria ( the root complex between a host plant and the hemiparasite).  #saplings

Hostess with the mostest

Planted 10 feet apart with the vision of growing into a full blown forest - white sandal saplings are alternated with red sandal. Red Sandal a rare and equally precious varietal that lacks the signature fragrance sandalwood is equally poached for its distinctive appearance. At the farm 800 red sandal trees - grow along with white sandal trees to form long term interconnected haustoria. #redsandal


For the long Run

Like baby girls, Sandalwood trees are easiest to protect in their first 15 years when the dangers are merely the elements. After that once the fragrant heartwood starts forming they are magnets for poachers and bandits. Planting and nurturing are only the first steps in caring for a sandal farm - protecting for the future is the largest investment yet. #futureperfect