Ceylonese sandalwood

Sustainable farms in central Sri Lanka cultivate Santalum album on a rotation schedule that protects soil health. Harvesters select trees older than fifteen years, fell them with low‑impact chainsaws, and strip the bark to expose the heartwood. Workers cut the heartwood into uniform blocks, then air‑dry the pieces for three to six months to reduce moisture. Dried blocks enter a stainless‑steel still where steam at 180 °C passes through for four hours, extracting the essential oil. The condensate separates into oil and water; the oil settles, is filtered through fine mesh, and is stored in amber glass to shield it from light. Quality labs test each batch for α‑santalol concentration, ensuring it meets the 40‑% minimum required for premium use. The process balances yield with forest regeneration, allowing new seedlings to replace harvested trees each cycle.