Padauk wood is renowned for its striking appearance. It exhibits a vibrant reddish-orange hue when freshly cut, gradually transforming into deeper shades of reddish-brown or purplish-brown over time with exposure to light. This change in coloration makes it a sought-after material for various applications, adding a unique aesthetic to furniture, musical instruments, and decorative items.
Global Origins
Padauk wood originates from trees belonging to the Pterocarpus genus, found across two distinct continents: Africa and Asia. African Padauk, primarily sourced from the species Pterocarpus soyauxii, grows predominantly in Central and tropical West Africa. Its natural habitat spans countries such as Nigeria, Congo-Kinshasa, and Angola, thriving in humid, warm environments with abundant rainfall, typical of dense equatorial rainforests.
Asian Padauk encompasses several Pterocarpus species, including Pterocarpus indicus and Pterocarpus macrocarpus. These varieties are native to Southeast Asia, with significant populations in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. While African Padauk prefers rainforests, Asian species are commonly found in seasonal tropical forests and moist to dry deciduous forests, adapting to a wider range of soil types.
Identifying Padauk Trees
The trees that yield Padauk wood are part of the Pterocarpus genus, a name derived from Greek words meaning “wing fruit,” referring to their distinctive winged seed pods. Pterocarpus soyauxii, the source of African Padauk, reaches heights of 27 to 34 meters with trunk diameters up to 1 meter. This tree features flaky reddish-grey bark and pinnate leaves, each bearing 11 to 13 leaflets.
Asian Padauk species like Pterocarpus macrocarpus are medium to large deciduous trees, growing 10 to 30 meters tall, sometimes reaching 39 meters, with trunks up to 1.7 meters in diameter. They possess flaky grey-brown bark that may secrete a red gum when cut, and their pinnate leaves have 9 to 11 leaflets. Pterocarpus indicus, another Asian species, can grow even taller, up to 40 meters, with a broad, dome-shaped crown and grey-brown scaly bark.
From Forest to Market
The journey of Padauk wood from its natural forest habitat to global markets begins with harvesting. Logging operations fell trees and extract timber, which is then processed in the regions of origin, transported to sawmills for refinement, and shipped to international buyers.
Responsible sourcing is important due to demand. Certifications like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) help verify that the wood originates from sustainably managed forests, promoting environmental and social benefits. While some Padauk species exhibit fast growth rates, aiding sustainable practices, illegal logging remains a concern, particularly for Asian varieties.