Complete guide to heartwood testing, legal permissions, harvesting methods, yield expectations, and post-harvest processing.
Before applying for felling permission, test heartwood development using an increment borer. This tells you the color, quality, and oil content without damaging the tree.
Heartwood yield increases exponentially with age. Each 5 additional years can double the heartwood content.
Submit application to District Forest Officer (DFO) with: All plantation registration certificates (all years), Complete tree inventory with heights and trunk diameters, Land ownership documents, Application form (from DFO office), Copy of ID proof. DFO will schedule a field inspection within 30–90 days. Allow the full 6 months processing time.
Use increment borer to test heartwood development on at least 10% of trees. Document findings with photos. Identify any trees showing heart rot (dark discoloration) — these should be prioritized for earliest harvest. Submit heartwood assessment report to DFO as supporting document.
Hire a Forest Department-registered timber contractor for harvesting. Verify contractor's license is current. Agree on terms including uprooting method (complete uprooting recommended for maximum root heartwood), labor charges, and timeline. Inform Forest Range Officer of contractor and planned schedule.
White Sandalwood: Complete uprooting is essential — heartwood extends into the root system (root collar has highest oil content). Use mechanical excavator to uproot completely. Wash roots to remove soil. Red Sandalwood: Felling at base is common but uprooting gives better yield from root heartwood. Separate heartwood (red/dark) from sapwood (pale) immediately after cutting.
Sort and grade heartwood by color and fragrance intensity. Grade A (golden orange, strong fragrance), Grade B (yellow, moderate fragrance), Grade C (pale yellow, light fragrance). Obtain weighment certificate from government weighing bridge if possible. Photograph the harvest for documentation. Create complete inventory before transport.
Apply to Forest Range Officer for transit pass specifying: exact weight and volume of wood, destination (buyer/depot name and address), vehicle registration number, driver details, planned route. Carry all documents during transport: Transit pass, Felling permission, Plantation registration certificates, Your ID proof. Never transport even a single piece without a valid transit pass.
Contact KFDC (Karnataka), APFDC (AP/Telangana), TAFCORN (Tamil Nadu) or licensed timber depot. Schedule inspection and grading. Price is determined after official grading. Payment via bank transfer (maintain financial record for tax purposes). Obtain formal Sale Certificate and payment receipt.
Store heartwood in dry, well-ventilated shed. Elevate off ground on pallets. Avoid direct sunlight exposure. Maximum 6 months storage before quality degrades.
Cut heartwood into standard sizes before sale: logs (whole), billets (30–60cm), and chips/powder for lower grades. Different sizes attract different buyers.
Sapwood (white outer wood) has minimal value for fragrance but can be sold for carving or as sandalwood powder. Do not mix with heartwood during grading.
Root collar and main root heartwood (1–2m depth) has the HIGHEST oil content — often Grade A quality even from younger trees. Separate and grade these premium pieces.