Padauk
Pterocarpus soyauxii · Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
- Type
- Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
- Origin
- Central and West Africa (Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Congo).
- Hardness
- 1,720 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot, termites, and weathering.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to interlocked with a coarse, open-pored texture and subtle cathedral figure visible on the face grain.
Color & Appearance
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 (Janka)
1,720 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot, termites, and weathering.
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.
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).
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.
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.
Notable Features
Faint, pleasant scent when being worked; high natural oil content; dust is vibrant orange and can stain surroundings.
