Padauk
Pterocarpus soyauxii • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to interlocked grain with a coarse texture and large, open pores. Often shows a ribbon-like figure on quarter-sawn surfaces.
Color Description
Heartwood is a vibrant reddish-orange when freshly cut, darkening to a deep reddish-brown or purple-brown over time with exposure to UV light. Sapwood is pale yellow and clearly demarcated.
Hardness Rating
1,725 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and fungal decay, and generally resistant to termite attacks.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, tool handles, musical instruments, turned objects, veneer, and flooring.
Geographic Origin
Central and West Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, Nigeria, Congo).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$12.00 to $18.00 per board foot depending on width and grain quality.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled/Recent; the vivid orange-red hue suggests minimal UV exposure and oxidation.
Sustainability Status
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern. Not currently CITES listed. FSC certification available from some suppliers.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though interlocked grain can cause tearout during planing. Glues and finishes well. Provides a high natural luster.
Notable Features
Distinctive faint, pleasant scent when being worked. Known for its exceptional stability and high strength-to-weight ratio. Dust can be a sensitizer/irritant and stains clothing.
Finish Recommendations
UV-inhibiting clear finishes (like certain polyurethanes or lacquers) are highly recommended to slow the transition from orange to brown. Oil finishes enhance depths but accelerate darkening.
Identification Confidence
High; the vivid orange-red color combined with the large, distinct longitudinal pore vessels and coarse texture is diagnostic for African Padauk.