Padauk (African Padauk)
Pterocarpus soyauxii • Hardwood / Exotic
Grain Pattern
Straight to interlocked grain with a coarse texture and large, open pores; occasionally shows faint curly figure or ribbon stripes
Color Description
Heartwood is a vibrant reddish-orange when freshly cut, deepening to a dark reddish-brown or purplish-brown over time with UV exposure; sapwood is pale yellow and clearly demarcated
Hardness Rating
1,725 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent decay resistance and good resistance to termites and other insects
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, musical instruments (marimbas/guitars), knife handles, turned objects, and specialty wood items
Geographic Origin
Central and Tropical West Africa
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 or surfaced sample; the bright orange hue indicates it hasn't been heavily oxidized or exposed to significant UV light for a long period
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices and reported by the IUCN as being of least concern; generally considered sustainable but check for FSC certification
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though interlocked grain can cause tearout during planing; glues, turns, and finishes well
Notable Features
Features a distinct, faint pleasan scent when being worked; dust can be fine and allergenic (staining surfaces/clothes bright orange); very high strength-to-weight ratio
Finish Recommendations
A UV-inhibiting clear coat (varnish or lacquer) is highly recommended to delay the color shifting from orange to brown; oil finishes look beautiful but accelerate darkening
Identification Confidence
High; the vivid orange-red color, large vessel pores visible on the face grain, and typical African hardwood density are characteristic of Padauk