Padauk
Pterocarpus soyauxii · Exotic/Tropical
- Type
- Exotic/Tropical
- Origin
- Central and West Africa (Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, and Congo).
- Hardness
- 1,725 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable; excellent decay resistance and good resistance to termites and other insects.
Got a wood sample like this?
Identify any wood from a photo, free.
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 & Appearance
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 (Janka)
1,725 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable; excellent decay resistance and good resistance to termites and other insects.
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.
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).
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.
Finish Recommendations
UV-inhibiting clear coats (lacquer or polyurethane) are recommended to delay the natural color shift from bright red to dark brown.
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.
