What Is Agarwood? A Complete Guide

Agarwood — known as oud, aloeswood, eaglewood, or gaharu — is one of the world's most precious and enigmatic natural materials. Formed in the heartwood of Aquilaria trees, it is the result of a remarkable interaction between tree and fungus.

How Agarwood Forms

When an Aquilaria tree is wounded — whether by lightning, insect boring, animal damage, or fungal infection — it produces a dark, aromatic resin as a defense mechanism. Over years or decades, this resin saturates the otherwise pale, odorless wood, transforming it into fragrant agarwood.

Why Is It So Valuable?

Wild agarwood is increasingly rare. Over-harvesting has pushed Aquilaria trees onto the CITES endangered species list. Only a small percentage of wild trees produce resin, and the highest grades — "sinking grade" wood so dense with resin it sinks in water — command prices comparable to gold.

The Many Forms of Agarwood

Agarwood is used in many forms: distilled into oud oil for perfumery, carved into beads for bracelets, ground into powder for incense, or burned as chips on charcoal or electric heaters. Each form reveals different facets of its complex aroma profile.