Padauk
Pterocarpus soyauxii • Exotic/Tropical
Grain Pattern
Straight to interlocked grain with a coarse, open-pored texture; shown here in a flat-sawn orientation with characteristic vertical pore streaks.
Color Description
Heartwood is a vibrant reddish-orange when freshly cut, darkening to a deep maroon or purplish-brown over time with UV exposure. Sapwood is distinctively pale yellow to white.
Hardness Rating
1,725 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent decay resistance and good resistance to termites and other insects.
Common Uses
Veneer, flooring, turned objects, musical instruments, furniture, tool handles, and other small specialty wood objects.
Geographic Origin
Central and West Africa (Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, and Congo).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$12.00 to $18.00 per board foot depending on figure and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Indeterminate based on photo, but the deep red-maroon hue indicates the sample has undergone some oxidation and UV exposure compared to freshly milled orange wood.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; generally considered a sustainable exotic hardwood with good availability.
Workability
Generally easy to work; glues and finishes well, though interlocked grain can cause surface tearout during planing. Coarse texture requires significant filling if a glass-smooth finish is desired.
Notable Features
Features a distinct, faint pleasan scent when being worked; dust can be an irritant and acts as a strong red dye on skin and clothing.
Finish Recommendations
UV-inhibiting clear coats (lacquer or polyurethane) are recommended to delay the natural color shift from bright red to dark brown.
Identification Confidence
High; the unique combination of vibrant red-orange pigment, large open pores, and lack of distinct growth rings is highly characteristic of African Padauk.