Envisioning a plantation layout concept where perfumery crops are planted in a “note-based design” — arranging species by their role in fragrance (top, heart, base notes, carriers). This mirrors how a perfume pyramid is structured, but applied to field planting spacing.
Perfume Pyramid Plantation Layout
Base Note Trees (long-lived, anchoring species; wide spacing)
- Agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis) – 3 × 3 m spacing
- Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) – 3 × 3 m spacing
- (Optional) Sandalwood (also base to heart; see below)
Role: Provide deep woody, resinous notes; plantation backbone.
Heart Note Trees / Shrubs (medium density, interplanted)
- Frangipani (Plumeria spp.) – 3 × 3 m
- Sandalwood (Santalum album) – 3 × 3 m (semi-parasitic, plant with host like Narra, Acacia, or Gliricidia)
- Golden Champaca (Michelia champaca) – 5 × 5 m
- Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) – 4 × 4 m (spreading crown, prune for oil yield)
- Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) – 8 × 8 m (dioecious: 1 male per 10–15 females)
Role: Add florals and spices; interwoven with base trees.
Top Note Crops (lighter, faster-growing, higher density)
- Manila Elemi (Canarium luzonicum) – 8 × 8 m (resin-yielding tree, manageable canopy)
- Key Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) – 2 × 2 m (hedgerow or orchard style)
- Golden Champaca (also functions here)
Role: Citrus, resin, and bright aromatics to balance plantation fragrance palette.
Carrier Oil Source
- Avocado (Persea americana) – 5 × 5 m (larger spacing, orchard crop)
Role: Carrier base oil (via seed extraction) + food/farm income.
Design Principle for Spacing
- Large canopy/perennial species (Agarwood, Sandalwood, Nutmeg, Ylang-ylang, Avocado): 4–5 m spacing.
- Medium canopy (Cinnamon, Champaca, Elemi, Frangipani): 3 × 3 m.
- Small/short-term crops (Key Lime, hedgerow species): 2.5–3 m.
- Companion/host plants (for sandalwood & agarwood): nitrogen-fixing Narra, Acacia, Erythrina, Gliricidia at 2–3 m intervals.
Concept Insight:
This “Perfume Pyramid Plantation” ensures that field design mirrors fragrance design — base notes anchor the plantation, heart notes enrich the middle layers, and top notes provide vibrancy and faster returns. Carriers (avocado) support sustainability.