Overall Padauk is easy to work; tear out may also occur during planning on quartersawn or interlocked grain. Padouk turns, glues, and finishes well. Used for veneer, flooring, turned objects, musical instruments, furniture, tool handles, and other small speciality wood objects.

Colour can vary, ranging from a pale pinkish-orange to a deep brownish-red. Most pieces tend to start reddish orange when freshly cut, darkening substantially over time to a reddish/purplish brown (some lighter pieces age to a greyish brown). Grain is usually straight, but can sometimes be interlocked. With a coarse, open texture and good natural lustre. Padouk has a faint, pleasing scent while being worked.