Padouk

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: The tree reaches a height of 32 to 43 m. The bole is cylindrical, buttressed, straight and clear to 25 m in length. The trunk diameter attains 70 to 130 cm, sometimes even up to 170 cm. Log is banned for international trading.(Cameroon)
NATURAL HABITAT: Pterocarpus soyauxii is common in dense equatorial rain forests, often in small groups
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION: Central and tropical West Africa, from Nigeria to Cabinda
PLANTATIONS AVAILABLE: Considered as a promising species for plantation. The duration of the rotation is 30 to 40 years, to reach 50 to 60 cm in diameter.
NON TIMBER USES: Contains some resins or extracts which could pose problems when machining or finishing.

COLOR: The sapwood is whitish, it has a thickness of 10 to 20 cm. The heartwood is vivid red sometimes with dark veining, toning down on exposure, it is clearly demarcated.
GRAIN: Straight or slightly interlocked, sometimes with an influence on further processing operations.
TEXTURE: The wood is reported to have a coarse texture.
NATURAL DURABILITY: Very durable to decay; without preservative treatment. This species is especially suited for all the uses with risks of permanent or long-lasting humidification. Resistant to termites attack. Heartwood is resistant to Lyctus attacks.
NATURAL DURABILITY INDEX (1= VERY HIGH DURABILITY,7=VERY LOW DURABILITY)1
INTERNAL GROWTH STRESSES: Residual growth stresses are absent.
SILICA CONTENT: Negligible contents of silica are found in timber of this species. Amounts over 0.050/s may affect the wood processing. Silica Value: 0.01
RESISTANCE TO IMPREGNATION: Moderately easy to treat with a partial penetration of the preservative products.

BASIC DENSITY OR SPECIFIC GRAVITY (O.D. WEIGHT/VOL. GREEN) (G/CM°)0.69
AIR-DRY DENSITY (WEIGHT AND VOLUME AT 120/oM ) (G/CM°)0.77 TOTAL SHRINKAGE TANGENTIAL (SATURATED TO 00/oM ) (0/o)5.0 TOTAL SHRINKAGE RADIAL (SATURATED TO 00/oM ) (0/o)3.2
DRYING DEFECTS: Ease of Drying: Drying is very slow and difficult to perform; defects are frequent.
Drying Defects: Risks of checks.
RECOMMENDED DRY KILN SCHEDULE FR-7
DIMENSIONAL STABILITY RATIO (TOTAL TANGENTIAL SHRINKAGE 0/o/TOTAL RADIAL SHRINKAGE 0/o) 1.6

SAWING: Sawing of this species requires powerful equipment.
ROTARY VENEER CUTTING: Suitable for slicing. SLICED VENEER : Suitable for slicing.
BLUNTING EFFECT: Moderate blunting effect; stellited blades for sawing and carbide tools for machining are advised. MACHINING : It needs powerful tools for processing. Possible difficulties caused by interlocked grain are reported.
PLANING: Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened. MOULDING : Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened. TURNING : 30
BORING: Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened. MORTISING : Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened. NAILING : Pre-boring is necessary.
GLUING: Difficult to glue because of the extracts content.
SANDING: Easy to perform; it gives good results. POLISHING : Needs pre-coating.
STEAM BENDING: This species can be used for steam bending.
RESPONSE TO HAND TOOLS: Working with hand tools is difficult.