Padauk (African Padauk)
Pterocarpus soyauxii · Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
- Type
- Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
- Origin
- Central and tropical West Africa
- Hardness
- 1,970 lbf (Very Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable. Excellent resistance to decay, rot, and termite attack.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to interlocked grain with a somewhat coarse, open texture and a natural cathedral pattern from flat-sawn milling.
Color & Appearance
Vibrant reddish-orange to deep purplish-brown heartwood with contrasting darker streaks. Freshly cut wood is often a bright, vivid orange-red which darkens significantly to a rich brown or dark purple-brown over time upon exposure to UV light.
Hardness (Janka)
1,970 lbf (Very Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable. Excellent resistance to decay, rot, and termite attack.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 10.00 to 18.00 USD per board foot
- Wood Age Estimate
- Relatively recent harvest (estimated 1 to 5 years old), showing the characteristic transitional color phase where the bright red is beginning to deepen.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on the CITES appendices or the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, though careful sourcing is always recommended for exotic timbers.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, turning, musical instruments, tool handles, flooring, and decorative inlay work.
Geographic Origin
Central and tropical West Africa
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though interlocked grain can cause tearout during planing. Glues and finishes well, but natural oils can occasionally interfere with some adhesives.
Finish Recommendations
Takes a fine natural polish. Oil finishes, lacquer, and polyurethane work well, though UV-inhibiting finishes can help slow the natural darkening process caused by light exposure.
Notable Features
Remarkable vibrant natural red color, distinct coarse pores, pleasant faint aromatic scent when freshly cut, and high dimensional stability once dried.
