Paldao

Common Name(s): Paldao Scientific Name: Dracontomelon dao Distribution: Southeast Asia Tree Size: 100-120 ft (30-37 m) tall, 5-7 ft (1.5-2.1 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 42 lbs/ft3 (670 kg/m3) Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .50, .67 Janka Hardness: 1,040 lbf (4,640 N) Modulus of Rupture: 13,590 lbf/in2 (93.7 MPa) Elastic Modulus: 1,755,000 lbf/in2 (12.10 GPa) Crushing Strength: 6,990 lbf/in2 (48.2 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 3.9%, Tangential: 7.5%, Volumetric: 11.5%, T/R Ratio: 1.9

Color/Appearance: Ranges from light to medium brown, sometimes with a reddish, grayish, or greenish cast. Darker brown to black streaks common. Wide pink to gray sapwood usually demarcated from heartwood. Quartersawn surfaces exhibit a broken ribbon stripe figure.

Grain/Texture: Grain is interlocked and irregular. Medium to coarse texture with good natural luster. 

Rot Resistance: Rated as non-durable to perishable; poor insect resistance.

Workability: Good results with both hand and machine tools. Despite its interlocked grain, tearout is not as problematic as other woods. Glues and finishes well.

Odor: No characteristic odor.

Allergies/Toxicity: Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with Paldao. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability: Nearly always sold as veneer. Prices are moderate for an imported wood.

Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Common Uses: Veneer, furniture, cabinetry, and flooring.

Comments: No data available.

Related Species:

• New Guinea Walnut (Dracontomelon mangiferum)

Related Articles:

None available.

Scans/Pictures: A special thanks to Steve Earis for providing the wood sample of this wood species.