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Farmers |
Download AVONGRO Newsletters: Winter 2005 Download Resources: Sandalwood Economics
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Australian Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) Australian Sandalwood is one of the main tree crop species currently being planted in the Western Australian wheatbelt. By the end of the 2007 winter planting season over 6,000 hectares of host species will have been planted, many already with sandalwood seed direct seeded nearby. It is the tree crop showing the most promise for areas of the wheatbelt receiving as low as 250mm annual rainfall although it will do better in higher rainfall areas. It is a parasitic tree, requiring a host or range of hosts to thrive. It is mainly planted for its fragrant and valuable heartwood however there is great interest in finding markets for the annual nut crop. The main source of information is through the Australian Sandalwood Network (ASN), Secretary (08 9621 2400). The ASN works largely with individual landholders and can give advice on the suitability of sandalwood for your farm.
The Forest Products Commission plants sandalwood in sharefarming arrangements in the WA wheatbelt. If you are more interested in sharefarming (no cost to the landholder to establish a plantation, but a share of the proceeds) contact the Forest Products Commission (08 9302 7488).
Below are just some of the resources available through the ASN Sandalwood establishment guide
Newsletters
The Avon Sandalwooder, Edition 1 The Avon Sandalwooder, Edition 2 The Avon Sandalwooder, Edition 3
The Avon Sandalwooder, Edition 4 The Avon Sandalwooder, Edition 5
Media
Websites www.jcu.edu.au/school/tropbiol/srn
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Ripening sandalwood seed
Aaron Edmonds, Chairman of the Australian Sandalwood Network (photo: Tim Emmott)
Harvested Sandalwood (photo: Grant Pronk, Forest Products Commission) |
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