Padauk

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Padauk (or padouk) is a name for any of a group of timbers from the pantropical genus Pterocarpus. Not all wood from Pterocarpus-species qualifies as a padauk, some species don't yield timber at all, some yield a non-padauk wood. All padauks are of Asian or African origin. Padauks are valued for their toughness, stability in use, and decorativeness, most having a reddish wood.

The padauk found most often in the trade is African padauk from Pterocarpus soyauxii which, when freshly cut, is a very bright red but when exposed to sunlight fades over time to a warm brown. Its color makes it a favorite among woodworkers. Burmese padauk is Pterocarpus macrocarpus while Andaman padauk is Pterocarpus dalbergioides. Padauks can be confused with rosewoods with whom they are somewhat related but as a general rule padauks are coarser and are somewhat less decorative in figure.

Some African padauks were said to be used by local women as antiperspirants when rubbed onto the skin. This particular timber was called "barwood", most likely a species closely connected to Pterocarpus soyauxii.

[edit] External links

• woodmagazine.com - Wood Magazine: The wood of kings, railroad trains, and many names.