Red Sandalwood Tree Red - 10" Grow bag

Red Sandalwood, or Lal Chandan (Pterocarpus santalinus), is a small to medium deciduous tree endemic to the dry hills of the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is renowned for its richly coloured red heartwood, which has long been used for dyes, fine furniture, carvings and traditional medicine.

The tree grows slowly to about 5-8 metres, with trifoliate compound leaves and small yellow pea-like flowers followed by flat winged pods. It thrives in hot, semi-arid conditions on poor, well-drained red and gravelly soils, making it well suited to dry tropical regions of South India.

Note: Red Sandalwood (Red Sanders) is a globally protected, CITES-listed species whose trade and felling are regulated in India. Cultivation for conservation and approved use is encouraged, but harvesting and sale are subject to forest department rules.

Specifications

Care guide

Uses

<p>Red Sandalwood is valued in India for several traditional uses:</p><ul><li>Heartwood yields a natural red dye (santalin) used for colouring and in cosmetics.</li><li>The wood is used in fine carvings, furniture, musical instruments and religious articles.</li><li>In Ayurveda, the heartwood is used in cooling skin pastes and traditional formulations.</li><li>Planted for conservation, avenue and homestead greening in dry regions.</li></ul>

Growing tips

<p>Plant saplings at the onset of the monsoon (June-July) so young roots establish with natural rainfall.</p><p>Choose a hot, open, full-sun spot with sharply drained soil; raise the planting mound on heavy or clayey ground to prevent waterlogging.</p><p>Water regularly for the first 1-2 years, then reduce as the tree is very drought-hardy. Protect young plants from frost in North India winters. Expect slow growth and be patient.</p>