Three different trees
- Red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus): dense red heartwood; furniture, carving, pigment; endemic to the southern Eastern Ghats; CITES Appendix II.
- White / Indian sandalwood (Santalum album): fragrant sandalwood oil; a different genus entirely; its own regulatory regime.
- Agarwood (Aquilaria spp.): resin-infused aromatic wood formed after a natural process; used for oud oil and incense.
Why the confusion matters
Marketing sometimes blurs these because all three are “valuable trees”. But they differ in product, demand, growing conditions, time to value and regulation. Investing without knowing which species you’re dealing with is investing blind.
What this site is about
Everything here concerns red sandalwood specifically, the red-heartwood species, not fragrant sandalwood oil or agarwood. If an offer conflates them, ask precise questions. Learn more on our about-the-species page.
The honest takeaway
Each has its own case and its own risks; none is a guaranteed winner. Know exactly which tree, which product and which rules apply before you commit, and take independent advice.