| The heartwood of Padouk (pronounced pu-douk') is a vivid red-orange often with lighter orange and orange-brown streaks when freshly cut. It will darken over time to a bright red, red-pink, or dark red-orange. Grain is usually straight but can be interlocked, fine to medium texture and a natural sheen. | BOTANICAL NAME: | Pterocarpus Soyauxii | ORIGIN: | Central & West Africa - Cameroon, Zaire, Angola, Congo, New Guinea | COMMON NAMES: | Camwood, Barwood, Corail, African Coralwood, Muenge, Mbe, Mbil, Mututi, Ngula, Vermillion, and Yomo. | JANKA HARDNESS: | 1725 | DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: | Above Average - Change Coefficient .00180 | RELATIVE ABUNDANCE: | African Padouk is reported to be relatively secure within its natural habitat in most areas including the Congo, but it is officially classified as vulnerable in Cameroon. | INTERESTING FACTS: | The tree is reported to reach heights of 100 to 130 feet, with trunk diameters that are usually 24 to 48 inches, but may sometimes reach 60 inches. Boles are often straight and cylindrical, and are clear of branches to about 70 feet. | GENERAL DESCRIPTION: | Although the sapwood of Padouk tends to be a very uniform cream or pale beige color, the heartwood is prized for its rich reddish orange tone which over time seasons nicely to a dark reddish- or purple-brown color, or even black. Padouk has a moderately coarse texture, with large pores and a grain that can be straight or interlocked. | COLOR CHANGE: | African Padauk undergoes an extreme degree of color change with pronounced darkening from the vivid orange color when freshly milled to a dark red almost black color when fully aged/oxidized. Oil finishes hasten this process and allow the full color change to occur while water based finishes inhibit the full color range. | MAIN USES: | Due to its high strength, durability and outstanding stability, this wood is ideal for high-class joinery, flooring, furniture and cabinetmaking. Also for fancy turning, carving, tool and knife handles, paddles and oars, and decorative veneers. | PHYSICAL PROPERTIES: | Hard, heavy, and strong with exceptional decay resistance and dimensional stability. Not suitable for steam bending. | WORKING PROPERTIES: | Works well with hand and machine tools. Glues easily and holds nails and screws well. Finishes to a beautiful sheen without the need for stain. |
| |
