Padauk
Pterocarpus soyauxii • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to interlocked with a coarse, open-pored texture and subtle cathedral figure visible on the face grain.
Color Description
Heartwood is a vibrant reddish-orange when freshly cut, darkening to a deep reddish-brown or purple-brown over time with UV exposure. Sapwood is typically cream-colored. Medium to high luster.
Hardness Rating
1,720 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot, termites, and weathering.
Common Uses
Furniture, veneer, flooring, turned objects, musical instruments, tool handles, and specialty wood items.
Geographic Origin
Central and West Africa (Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Congo).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$12.00 - $18.00 per board foot.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern sample; surface oxidation suggests exposure of 1-3 years since milling.
Sustainability Status
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern. Not currently CITES listed, but widely available from FSC-certified sources.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though interlocked grain can cause tearout during planing. Glues and finishes well, but fine dust can be an irritant.
Notable Features
Faint, pleasant scent when being worked; high natural oil content; dust is vibrant orange and can stain surroundings.
Finish Recommendations
Lacquer or polyurethane with UV inhibitors to preserve the bright orange color; alternatively, oil finishes to enhance the depth of the darkening wood.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinctive reddish-orange hue, open vascular pore structure, and characteristic grain swirl are signature indicators of African Padauk.