The Wonderful World of Wood:

African Padauk:

  • "Pterocarpus soyauxii"

Other Names:

  • Camwood.
  • Barwood.

Sources:

  • West Africa.

Tree Characteristics:

  • The tree can grow to a height of 100ft and produces a buttressed trunk.
  • The diameter above the buttresses can reach 3ft 3in.

Characteristics of the wood:

  • A hard heavy wood, with straight to interlocked grain and a moderately coarse texture.
  • The heartwood is rich red to purple brown in colour with red streaks contrasting with the pale beige sapwood, which can be 8in thick.
  • The heartwood is very durable.

Workability:

  • The wood works well and machines to a good finish.
  • It glues well.

Average dried weight:

  • 44lb/cuft.

Finishing:

  • It polishes to a fine finish.

Common uses:

  • Interior joinery.
  • Furniture.
  • Turnery.
  • Handles.
  • Flooring.
  • Known as a dyewood.

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