Asian Padauk
Scientific name: Pterocarpus macrocarpus
Overview
Asian Padauk is a striking tropical hardwood known for its vibrant orange to reddish coloration and moderate density. Native to Southeast Asia, it has long been valued for decorative woodworking, furniture, and carving.
Freshly cut padauk is bright orange-red, gradually darkening to a deeper reddish-brown over time with exposure to light.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Asian Padauk
- Scientific Name: Pterocarpus macrocarpus
- Region: Asian Hardwoods (Southeast Asia – Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and surrounding regions)
- Tree Size: 100–130 ft tall, 3–5 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 42 lbs/ft³ (675 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 1,250 lbf
- Color: Bright orange-red when freshly cut, darkening to reddish brown with age
- Grain: Interlocked
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
Asian Padauk is easily recognized by its vivid orange-red heartwood. The grain is usually straight but may show slight interlocking. The wood has a moderately coarse texture and can exhibit subtle ribboning on quartersawn surfaces.
Sapwood is pale and clearly separated from the heartwood.
Key identification traits include:
- Bright orange-red heartwood when freshly cut
- Color darkens significantly with age
- Medium to coarse texture
- Open pores visible to the eye
Working Properties
Padauk machines and sands well and is generally considered easy to work.
- Machines cleanly
- Turns well
- Sands smoothly
- Glues reliably
- Takes finish evenly
Color shift over time should be considered when selecting boards for visible applications.
Safety Note
Padauk dust may cause skin or respiratory irritation in some individuals and can stain skin and clothing during machining. Proper dust collection and protective equipment are recommended.
Common Uses
Asian Padauk is commonly used in decorative and furniture applications, including:
- Fine furniture
- Carving
- Veneer
- Turned objects
- Accent pieces
Its bold color makes it especially valued for decorative woodworking and statement pieces.
Sustainability & Notes
Availability varies depending on region and export regulations. Responsible sourcing is encouraged, and buyers should verify legality and origin when purchasing.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
African Padauk – A closely related species with similar bright orange-red coloration, though often slightly more stable in color over time.
Narra – A tropical hardwood with warm reddish to golden tones, commonly used in furniture and decorative woodworking.
Kosso – A dense hardwood with similar reddish coloration and use in furniture and specialty woodworking.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Studying grain structure and color variation helps distinguish brightly colored tropical hardwoods.
Color Changes in Tropical Hardwoods Over Time
Some species, including padauk, undergo noticeable color changes as they age and are exposed to light.
Finishing Oils vs Polyurethane on Exotic Species
Choosing the right finish helps preserve and enhance the vibrant color of tropical hardwoods.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Asian Padauk is popular among collectors for its vibrant color and strong visual impact. Boards with uniform, vivid coloration are often preferred, though some collectors value pieces that have aged to a deeper, richer tone.
Because of its color shift over time, properly stored and well-seasoned material is especially desirable.
Share Your Photos of This Species
Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.
When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
Love This Species?
Enjoy learning about this wood species?
Help support the continued growth of Exotic Woods of the World by participating in our Adopt a Species program. Your support helps fund species research, educational content, photography, videos, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Support Forest Conservation
This species is part of the growing Exotic Woods of the World reference archive, dedicated to documenting and preserving knowledge of the world’s wood species.
Through the Adopt a Species program, visitors can help support ongoing species research, educational content, photography, video production, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
Interested in supporting this species? Visit our Adopt a Species and Conservation Partners pages to learn more.
Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Share This Wood Species
Stay Connected
Follow the latest species additions, educational resources, videos, conservation initiatives, and major project milestones through our Site Updates archive.
The Site Updates archive provides a permanent record of new content, library growth, and future developments across Exotic Woods of the World.