Santalum freycinetianum

Cultivation Details

A plant usually of moderate elevations in the tropics, usually found between 250 and 950 metres, but it can be found down to almost sea level and up to 3,800 metres^[1]. It grows naturally in areas where the mean annual rainfall is in the range 500 - 3,800mm and there is a pronounced dry season of 2 - 5 months^{[2, 1]}. Prefers a position with moderate side shade, but little overhead shade; it grows poorly in deeper shade, but can do well in full sun if attached to a suitable host^[2]. Tolerant of a range of soil conditions, including infertile and shallow soils, but grows best in a light to medium, well-drained soil^[2]. The plant grows in the wild on a range of volcanic soils, but does not become established on poorly drained sites^[1]. Prefers a neutral to slightly alkaline soil with a pH 6.1 - 7.4, but can tolerate 4 - 7.4^[2]. Established plants are able to survive a long dry season (up to 5 - 6 months) when attached parasitically to suitably drought­tolerant host plants^[2]. Although the tree has become much less common in its native habitat due to the ravages of introduced grazing animals and rats, the tree does actually have the potential to become invasive, spreading by seeds and root suckers. However, this has not been seen as a problem in the past, mainly due to the high value of the wood and the ease with which they can be shaded out by taller trees^[2]. A slow-growing species, showing annual height increases of 30 - 70cm a year when young. Growth is faster in fertile soils but the tree is then at risk of being shaded out or overtopped by taller, faster growing trees on such sites^[2]. Under good conditions, plants begin flowering from an early age, typically about 3 - 4 years, but heavy flowering and fruiting may take 7 - 10 years^[2]. Trees can flower and produce fruit throughout the year, usually with two peaks. The flowers produce a weak fragrance^[2]. Trees produce root suckers, especially if cut down, when a ring of suckers will often appear several metres away from the original stump^[2]. A semi-parasitic plant, obtaining some of its nutriment from the roots of other plants^[3]. The plant has green leaves containing chlorophyll, and is thus able to photosynthesize - it relies on host plants only for water and soil nutrients, not for sugars, which it can produce itself ^[4]. In a natural situation, the plant seems to rely on nitrogen fixing trees such as Acacia and Casuarina, though it is known to parasitize many other legumes, shrubs, herbs and grasses^[4]. It normally has more than one host at a time^[4]. In the field, seedlings should be planted near potential host plants^[1]. Seedlings are generally planted within existing vegetation near potentially suitable hosts; the best host may be Acacia koa^[1]. Success is generally good, especially in locations where seedlings can be watered occasionally and weed competition is controlled^[1]. Periodic trimming of the secondary host may benefit seedlings^[1].