WANTED: Nepalese Sandalwood (Osyris wightiana)

davisu

davisu

Furniture maker, hobbyist turner, etc. :)
Full Member
Messages
96
Reaction score
170
Location
New York
First name
Davis
Hey guys and gals!

A fellow woodworker and tea lover is having me make him a tea tray embedded in his claro walnut table. He specifically requested Nepalese sandalwood. It is not "true" sandalwood, as it is not in the genus Santalum, but it is in the family Santalaceae (Sandalwood family.)

Any help or availability would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you all.
 
James Griffin carries Nepal sandalwood. It differs say from real sandalwood from Hawaii based on price point, aroma, color, intensity of aroma and oil content. You have to heat Nepal type to be able to smell it. Hawaiian sandalwood is more oily compare to Nepal sandalwood. They have the same density. Price wise- Nepal sandalwood is a fraction of a price, which a quarter of the cost compare to Hawaiian sandalwood.
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4
Gonzalodqa said:
Following this because I am interested in a sample of a Osyris lanceolata
Click to expand...
Hey! If you're looking for the South African species, it's easier to get. Try calling up a few sawmills in the region of South Africa, Kenya, Malawi. I've had good luck getting legal, sustainably sourced wood for around $50/lb.!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5
Arn213 said:
James Griffin carries Nepal sandalwood. It differs say from real sandalwood from Hawaii based on price point, aroma, color, intensity of aroma and oil content. You have to heat Nepal type to be able to smell it. Hawaiian sandalwood is more oily compare to Nepal sandalwood. They have the same density. Price wise- Nepal sandalwood is a fraction of a price, which a quarter of the cost compare to Hawaiian sandalwood.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Arn! I'm familiar with the species, it is lovely. In fact, if you get old wood (not fresh cut 30-year old trees) you don't have to heat it at all. The older trees (and wood) smell immediately. It is a much softer scent in my opinion. Great species.

I've emailed James a while back, but don't want to harass him. I may have to, though :taunt:
 
I just want a small sample I think they will not take me seriously at all if I call them.
O. Lanceolata and wightiana are synonyms, though the species have a wide distribution range
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7
Gonzalodqa said:
I just want a small sample I think they will not take me seriously at all if I call them.
O. Lanceolata and wightiana are synonyms, though the species have a wide distribution range
Click to expand...
Gonzalo,

They have actually been proven not to be synonyms. They thought this due to oil content, which is affected by the weather (proper term is "ecotype".) For instance, O. lanceolata is a USDA Zone 10 plant. O. wightiana is a Zone 6. The former in Nepal, the latter in Southern Africa. The distribution range could not be possible given the transfer from Gondwandan flora all the way across the Sahara, then the Middle East, then across the Himalayas.

Please don't think I'm trying to be politically correct or rude, but I actually studied these species in India during my post-doctoral work in plant conservation of over-exploited species :) Santalum L. is (and was) being exploited, so I did a fair amount of genetic and genomic work on these species.

I do have a source for O. lanceolata in South Africa. If it's okay with you, let me know how much you're looking for (chips, small log, stems, etc.) and I'll send it your way for free plus shipping in a few weeks to a month on arrival.

Best,
Davis
 
I have no experience with the genus Osyris, I mentioned it because the KEW royal botanical garden has them as synonyms. Also there it list the distribution to be quite ample. I am not saying that you are wrong I am just basing my commmet on that only source.

I am looking for a small wood sample (3x6x1/2”). It is just a really small “board” that’s why I don’t think sawmills and wood dealers would mind to process such a small order
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9
Gonzalodqa said:
I have no experience with the genus Osyris, I mentioned it because the KEW royal botanical garden has them as synonyms. Also there it list the distribution to be quite ample. I am not saying that you are wrong I am just basing my commmet on that only source.

I am looking for a small wood sample (3x6x1/2”). It is just a really small “board” that’s why I don’t think sawmills and wood dealers would mind to process such a small order
Click to expand...
Ah yes, the Kew. The RHS does some fascinating work. Keep in mind my research was over 15 years ago, and the Nepali and South Africans seem to agree, but the Kew and RHS are THE authority so I defer to you on Osyris spp.

Yes, let me get some in, confirm quality, and I'll PM you when it's in! Does that work for you?

Best,
Davis
 
Thanks that would be amazing! But I am in no rush. Specially considering I am planning a trip this summer so I will be low in cash during July 😂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top