RED SANDERS (Pterocarpus santalinus). 7 



District, the percentage of Bed Sanders is small, generally 10 per 

 cent., but the size and quality of the trees here are superior to 

 those found in other portions of the forests where the percentage 

 of Red Sanders is greater, namely, in the northern portion of the 

 Seshachellam hills, the Palakondas and the Lankamalais. In the 

 last-named localities, it is in places found pure, and generally 

 forms over 30 per cent, of the growing stock. 



9. Heart-wood. 



A seedling commences to form heart-wood at the age of about 

 18 yea_rs or when it has attained a girth of 6" to 9" at breast- 

 height, .while a coppice shoot shows signs of forming heart- 

 wood at the age of 15 years and when it had attained a girth 

 of 9 to 15 inches. Pseudo heart- wood or a premature deposit 

 of the red colouring principle " Santalin " is often found around 

 natural wounds and artificial injuries. The Red Sanders tree of 

 70 to 80 years of age which, as a rule, averages 40 /; to 50 " in girth at 

 breast-height, may be said to have attained an exploitable age or, 

 in other words, an age at which it is capable of yielding a special 

 post. A local tradition maintains that a Red Sanders tree, after 

 attaining a girth of 40 /; , becomes rotten at the heart. . This is no 

 doubt at present true but it is hardly due to old age and over- 

 maturity as is generally supposed. It is probably due to injuries 

 received during the period of the tree's life resulting from repeated 

 scorching. Another tradition maintains that there are two varieties 

 of Red Sanders trees. One variety which has comparatively a 

 smooth bark and light heart-wood is known to the wood-cutter as 

 the "female," the other with the rougher bark and the darker 

 heart-wood as the "male." Botanically there is no difference, and 

 the variety is not due to a difference in the quality of the soil 

 since the two kinds are found mixed. The contention that the 

 smooth barked tree generally has a lighter coloured heart-wood, 

 appears to be true. The scientific reason for this is still to be dis- 

 covered. 



10. Its Uses and Value. 



The Red Sanders is principally used now-a-days for construc- 

 tion of house-posts. An important factor in their value is 

 that they are never attacked by white-ants. The best posts 

 are usually bought in pairs for verandah pillars, and are often sold 

 at R40 or R50 per pair of 1^ cubic feet each. Such posts are known 

 as " Specials." One very large post of 2\ cubic feet was recently 



