African Padauk
Pterocarpus soyauxii • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to interlocked grain with a coarse texture and large open pores.
Color Description
Vivid orange-red heartwood when freshly cut, darkening to a deep reddish-brown or purple-brown over time. Sapwood is yellowish-white. High natural luster.
Hardness Rating
1,725 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay, and good resistance to termites and powder post beetles.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, knife handles, turned objects, musical instruments, and veneers.
Geographic Origin
Central and West Africa
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$12.00 - $18.00 per board foot
Wood Age Estimate
Modern cut; minimal oxidation or wear suggests it is a relatively recent fabrication or sample.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; generally considered sustainable and widely available.
Workability
Generally easy to work; glues and finishes well, though interlocked grain can cause tearout during planing. Can dull cutting edges due to density.
Notable Features
Distinctive faint, pleasant scent when being worked. Dust can be a skin and respiratory irritant; the wood's orange pigment is highly soluble and can bleed into adjacent woods.
Finish Recommendations
Finishes with a UV-inhibiting clear coat are recommended to delay the color change from orange to brown. Oil finishes enhance the chatoyance but may accelerate darkening.
Identification Confidence
High; the unique vivid orange-red hue combined with the specific coarse pore structure visible on the face grain is characteristic of Pterocarpus soyauxii.