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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Blunting Effect Boring Carving Certified Source Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Pterocarpus soyauxii Trade Name African padauk Family Name Leguminosae Synonyms Pterocarpus delevoyi, Pterocarpus osun, Pterocarpus tinctorius Common Names Africaans padoek, African coral wood, African padauk, Afrik padouk, Afrikanisches korallenholz, Afrikanisches padoik, Akume, Arapka, Ba, Barrwood, Barwood, Bo, Bois corail, Bois de rose, Bois rouge, Bois ulu, Boko, Boku, Bosulu, Bou, Camwood, Corail, Ebeu, Epein, Epion, Escio, Ezigo, Gula, Kisese, Kisesi, Koula, M'bio, Mbe, Mbel, Mbeu, Mbie, Mbil, Mbili, Mohingue, Mongola, Muenge, Mukula, Mututi, N'gola, N'gula, N'kula, Ndimbo, Ngula, Nve, Osun, Ozigo, Padouk, Padouk d'Afrique, Palorojo, Red santal, Redwood, Santal rouge, Tacula, Takula, Tizeze, Uhie, Uhile, Ukpa, Vermillion, Wele, Yomo Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, Zaire Common Uses Agricultural implements, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Bobbins, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chemical derivatives, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Decks, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Dyewood , Excelsior, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: piano, Musical instruments: strings, Oars, Office furniture, Paddles, Parquet flooring, Picker sticks, Plywood, Posts, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shade rollers, Shafts/Handles, Shuttles, Specialty items, Spindles, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wheel spokes, Wheels Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Vulnerable in parts of its natural habitat Status unknown in parts of its range Generally widespread, secure, and abundant within most of its range Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview The genus Pterocarpus occurs throughout the tropical regions of the world. P. soyauxii is found in Central and tropical West Africa, extending from south-western Nigeria to Zaire. It often grows in small groups and is common in dense equatorial rain forests. Heartwood Color Red Pink Brown White Green/grey Yellow Orange Grey Red Pale red to pink Dark brown Dark brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Small color variation Reddish orange Purple Brown Becomes bright red, coral pink with dark streaks, purplish-brown, or black with age Sapwood Color Red Brown Yellow White Pink White to yellow Well defined Whitish Same as heartwood Pinkish Paler than heartwood Matures to yellowish brown with age Grain Straight Interlocked Figure Distinct (figure) Closed Even Wavy Stripe (figure) Straight Interlocked Distinct figure Wavy Striped figure Straight to slightly interlocked Texture Coarse Medium Even or uniform Uniform Coarse Fine to medium Medium Medium to coarse Fine Luster Medium Low Lustrous Pronounced Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Perishable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-resistant to termites Non-durable Non-resistant to marine borers Very durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to marine borer attack Very good weathering properties Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from marine borers May last over 25 years in contact with ground Heartwood is very resistant to decay and termite attack Heartwood is very durable Odor Has an odor Green wood is faintly aromatic Light-Induced Color Change Darker Toxicity Some toxic effects Respiratory effects Unspecified toxicity Dermatitic effects Kiln Schedules UK=J US=T10D5S/T8D4S Fr=4 T8 - D4S (8/4) US T10 - D5s (4/4) US Schedule J - United Kingdom Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a slow speed Dry at a moderate speed Drying Defects Splitting Internal Honeycombing Possible Collapse Distortion No twisting or warping Moderate surface checking Moderate end spitting Little or no degrade Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Fairly Easy Rapidly Thick Stock Requires Care Slowly Easy Prolonged conditioning period and regular moisture content checks control variable drying rates Dries well with little degrade Logs may be held for long periods without splitting or checking Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Naturally dries slowly Very slow (>28 days for boards < 32 mm, to >84 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is fluted Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Tree height is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Bole length is 20-30 m Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 40-50 m Bark width is 20-25 mm Bark width is 10-15 mm Bark width is 25-30 mm Bark width is 15-20 mm Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Product Sources The ITTO reports that this species is frequent source of timber which is exported in low quantities and only occasionally. African padauk is available in both lumber and veneer forms on the market in North America, but prices are typically in the high range. Availability in long lengths, wide boards, and in veneer form is rather limited on the European market, but prices are comparable to that of the lower cost hardwoods. Certified Source Certified Source Comments Crystal deposits are usually present General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Little Blunting effect on sawing green wood is severe Blunting effect on sawing green wood is moderate Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is severe Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Blunting effect on machining is moderate Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Good boring qualities Easy Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Saw well with slow feed rate Carbide tipped tools are recommended Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to glue Glues very well Mortising Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Good mortising properties Easy to mortise Moulding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Good finishing results Easy to mould Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Small Very stable after kiln drying Stable Negligible movement Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to nail Tends to split during nailing Possible if prebored Holds satisfactorily Holds nails well Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results