Padauk (African)
Pterocarpus soyauxii • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Typically straight but can be interlocked; medium to coarse texture with a high natural luster.
Color Description
Heartwood is a vivid orange or reddish-brown when freshly cut, darkening to a deep maroon or purplish-brown over time. Sapwood is pale beige to yellow.
Hardness Rating
1,725 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to decay and termites.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, musical instruments (marimbas/guitars), knife handles, turned objects, and veneer.
Geographic Origin
Central and West Africa (Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Congo).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$12.00 to $18.00 per board foot depending on thickness and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern cut, likely less than 5 years old based on uniform color and lack of oxidation/patina.
Sustainability Status
Not currently listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List; generally considered sustainable but harvesting is monitored.
Workability
Challenging if grain is interlocked (tearout), but otherwise glues and finishes well. Sawdust can be a skin/respiratory irritant.
Notable Features
Distinctive faint, pleasant scent when being worked; high strength-to-weight ratio; unique orange-to-red extractives.
Finish Recommendations
UV-inhibiting finishes are highly recommended to delay the change from orange/red to dark brown. Penetrating oils work well to highlight grain.
Identification Confidence
Medium-Low. The image is significantly out of focus, but the vibrant reddish-orange hue and uniform long-grain texture are highly characteristic of African Padauk.