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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Certified Source
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Resistance to Splitting
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Synonyms
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Ochroma pyramidale

Trade Name
Balsa

Family Name
Bombacaceae

Synonyms
Ochroma pyramidale


Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Algodon, Balsa, Balsa real, Balso, Bob-wood, Bois flot, Bois liege, Bois lievre, Bois pripri, Bombast mahoe, Burillo, Cajeto, Cajote, Ceiba de lana, Ceibon botija, Ceibon lancro, Ceibon lanero, Corcho, Corkwood, Coton fleurs, Cotton fleurs, Cottontree, Doon-tree, Down tree, Dum, Dun, Duras, Enca, Enea, False cork tree, Fromager mapou, Gatillo, Gonote real, Guano, Hembra, Huampo, Jujul, Lana, Lanero, Lanilla, Lano, Macho, Mahaudeme, Maho, Manhot a grandes feulles, Mo-ma-ah, Palo de balsa, Palo de lana, Pata de lebre, Patte de lievre, Patte lapin, Pau de balsa, Pau de jangada, Piu, Pochote, Polak, Puero, Puh, Pung, Quattier, Tacariqua, Tambor, Tami, Tauri, Topa, Tucumo, Uru

Regions of Distribution
Central America, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Fiji [Polynesia], Fiji, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico [US], Puerto Rico, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela

Common Uses
Baskets, Boards, Boat building, Boat building: framing, Boxes and crates, Canoes, Caskets, Chemical containers, Core Stock, Door, Dressed boards, Drum sticks, Fishnet floats, Floats, Food containers, Insulating boards, Lifeboats, Light construction, Lumber, Model airplanes, Musical instruments , Novelties, Organ pipes, Paneling, Piano keys, Pianos , Plywood corestock, Plywood, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Rough boards/dimension stock, Shipbuilding, Sounding boards, Specialty items, Sporting Goods, Toys, Truck bodies, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Violin bows, Violin, Xylophones

Environmental Profile
Widespread
Globally secure
Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Rare within parts of its range
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center
Data source is Nature Conservancy
Abundant


Distribution Overview
The geographical range of Balsa includes the Cape Verde Islands. It is also widely distributed in tropical America (with minor varieties distinguished as species by some authors). The tree grows in the Greater and Lesser Antilles, from St. Kitts to Grenada, and Trinidad & Tobago. It is also found from southern Mexico to Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil, and is planted in southern Florida and Dutch West Indies. It is typically found at lower elevations, particularly on bottom-land soils beside streams. It also grows on clearings and cutover forests, and is cultivated on plantations

Heartwood Color
Brown
Green/grey
Black
Yellow
Orange
Red
White to cream
Pale brown
Pale red to pink
Greenish to greyish
Reddish brown


Sapwood Color
Yellow
White
Brown
Green/Grey
Red
Green
White to yellow
Pinkish
Same as heartwood
Yellowish

The sapwood, which constitutes most of the balsa marketed, is white or oatmeal in color, often with a yellowish or pinkish tinge.

Grain
Straight
Even
Figure
Weak (figure)

Straight
Weak figure
Open


Texture
Fine
Medium
Even or uniform
Coarse
Coarse
Medium
Medium coarse to coarse
Fine


Luster
Medium
High
Lustrous
Pronounced
Slightly lustrous
High


Natural Growth Defects
Brittleheart is often frequent and extensive

Primarily in older trees

Natural Durability
Very durable
Resistant to marine borers
Resistant to termites
Durable
Non-resistant to marine borers
Susceptible to insect attack
Resistant to powder post beetles
Perishable
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Non durable
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack
Vulnerable to attack by beetles and dry-wood termites
No natural resistance
Moderately durable
Logs are readily attacked by pinhole borers
Logs are prone to bluestain

Logs should be extracted and converted quickly since they are readily attacked by pinhole borers and are also prone to blue stain.

Odor
Has an odor
No specific smell or taste


Toxicity
Some toxic effects


Kiln Schedules
UK=H US=T10D4S/T8D3S Fr=7
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid
Dry at a moderate speed
Drying (speed) is fast


Drying Defects
Splitting
Checking
Distortion
Loose Knots
Extension of Existing Shakes
Severe twisting/warping
Severe end splitting
Slight surface checking
Moderate twist/warp
Slight twist/warp
Moderate end spitting
Moderate cupping
Slight spring/bow
Slight cupping
Moderate collapse and honeycombing
Slight end splitting
Severe surface checking
No surface checking
No end splitting
Moderate spring/bow

Air-Drying of the timber is preferable over kiln-drying to minimize splitting and warping.

Ease of Drying
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Fairly Easy
Rapidly
Thick Stock Requires Care
Slowly
Difficult
Figure Occurrence is variable
Requires care to minimize degrade
Easy

Green balsa wood contains extremely high amounts of moisture and can absorb even more. Kiln drying requires skilled care to avoid case hardening or toasting. To reduce moisture absorption to a minimum, the material is often treated with a water repellent.

Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries slowly
Slow
Drying rate is slow
Naturally dries quickly
Naturally dries at a moderate speed
Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm)


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is buttressed


Tree Size
Tree height is 30-40 m
Bole length is 20-30 m
Bole length is 10-20 m
Tree height is 20-30 m
Sapwood width is 5-10 cm
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Tree height is 40-50 m
Sapwood width is 0-5 cm
Bole length is 0-10 m


Under optimum conditions, plantation grown balsa trees can be ready for harvesting after only seven years

Product Sources
The ITTO reports that the species is a fairly important source of timber in Ecuador, and is exported regularly.

The natural range of Balsa is very extensive, it grows very rapidly, and is widely cultivated on plantations, all of which contribute to the abundance of Balsa. Price is rated as fairly expensive per board foot, but since its normal uses usually require small quantities of the material, the price is often an insignificant factor.

Certified Source
Certified Source


Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory

Blunting Effect
High to severe
Moderate
Blunting effect on machining is slight
Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is mild
Slight dulling effect on cutting tools


Boring
Poor to very poor results
Fairly difficult to very difficult
Difficult


Carving
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Easy to carve

Balsa is very uniform in texture and density, and is probably the easiest wood to cut

Cutting Resistance
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Low cutting resistance
Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult


Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Easy to glue
Satisfactory gluing properties


Mortising
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Difficult to mortise
Finishes poorly


Moulding
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Poor to Very Poor Results
Difficult to mould


Movement in Service
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Small
Moderate stability when properly seasoned


Nailing
Pre-Boring Recommended
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Nails hold poorly
Easy to nail

Poor nail holding due to soft wood

Planing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Fair to Good Results
Easy to plane
Special attention required
Planes well, to a good finish
Ease of planing is moderate

The timber is generally easy to plane, but dull or thick-edged cutters may produce fuzzy surfaces. It responds readily to sharp, thin-edged power or hand tools in most woodworking operations, including turning, moulding, mortising, and routing to yield relatively clean surfaces.

Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is resistant
Sapwood is permeable


Resistance to Splitting
Excellent


Response to Hand Tools
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Easy to Work
Easy to machine
Moderate working qualities
Responds well to hand tools

Very sharp hand tools are recommended. It is perhaps the easiest of all woods to cut and shape.

Routing & Recessing
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Sanding
Satisfactory sanding results
Good sanding properties


Screwing
Poor results
Easy to screw
Poor screw holding properties


Turning
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Poor to Very Poor Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Difficult to turn
Poor results


Veneering Qualities
Veneers easily
Suitable for peeling
Suitable for slicing
No drying degrade
Veneers moderately easy
Easy to cut


Steam Bending
Fair to Good Results
Exudation
Very poor


Painting
Poor results


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Satisfactory results


Staining
Finish is generally good
Finish is generally satisfactory


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = < 15 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = very low
Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low
Shrinkage, Volumetric = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Max. crushing strength = low
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = low
Bending strength (MOR) = low

Balsa is described as the lightest and softest hardwood on the market, with the sapwood constituting most of the commercial lumber. Although Balsa is very weak overall, its strength properties are high in relation to its weight. Balsa is about twice as strong as Spruce in compression parallel to grain, on a strength-to-strength basis.

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength35135511psi
Crushing Strength377701psi
Density9lbs/ft3
Hardness325lbs
Impact Strength15inches
Maximum Crushing Strength20612990psi
Shearing Strength882psi
Static Bending26344544psi
Stiffness85310761000 psi
Toughness159inch-lbs
Specific Gravity0.090.12
Weight108lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage7%
Volumetric Shrinkage10%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength246387kg/cm2
Crushing Strength2649kg/cm2
Density144kg/m3
Hardness147kg
Impact Strength38cm
Maximum Crushing Strength144210kg/cm2
Shearing Strength62kg/cm2
Static Bending185319kg/cm2
Stiffness59751000 kg/cm2
Toughness183cm-kg
Specific Gravity0.090.12
Weight160128kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage7%

References
Acosta-Solis, M.,1960,Maderas Economicas del Ecuador y sus Usos,Editorial Casa de la Culhra Ecuatoriana Quito

Arno, J. 1988. Ochroma pyramidale - Balsa. In A Guide to ¨seful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 246-247.

Berni, C.A., Bolza, E., Christensen, F.J.,1979,South American Timbers - The Characteristics, Properties and Uses of 190,Species,C.S.I.R.O Div. Building Research

Bolza, E.,1975,Properties and Uses of 175 Timber Species from Papua New Guinea and West,Irian,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Building Research Report,no.34

Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Hardwoods - Temperate and Tropical. USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

Brown, W.H.,1969,Properties and uses of Tropical hardwoods in the United Kingdom. Part 1,Nonstructural properties and uses.,Conference on Tropical hardwoods SC-5/TN-5, Syracuse University

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 2 South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Brush, W.D.,1945,Balsa (Ochroma lagopus,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Foreign Woods Series

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

Clifford, N.,1953,Commercial Hardwoods - Their Characteristics Identification and,Utilization,Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London

Constantine, Jr., A. J. 1959. Know Your Woods - A Complete Guide to Trees, Woods, and Veneers. Revised Edition. Revised by H.J. Hobbs. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York.

Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood B. Wood Species from S. American Tropical,Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department

Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO

Findlay, W.P.K.,1975,Timber: Properties and Uses,Crosby Lockwood Staples London,224PP

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research

Forestry Commission of New South Wales,1987,Timbers used in New South Wales for Domestic Buildings,Forestry Commission of New South Wales, Technical Publication No.6

Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment

Fors, A.J.,1965,Maderas Cubanas,Inst. Nac. Ref. Agraria La Habara

Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed.

Kaiser, J. Wood of the Month: Balsa - The Lightweight Wood. Wood & Wood Products, July, 1988. Page 102.

Keating, W.G., Bolza, E.,1982,Characteristics properties and uses of timbers. South East Asia, Northern,Australia and the Pacific,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Chemical Technology,Inkata Press,1

Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12

Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125

Lauricio, F. M., Bellosillo, S. B., The Mechanical and Related Properties of Philippine Woods, The Philippine Lumber Journal, 12(5):A-H.

Limaye, V.D. and B.R. Sen. 1956. Weights and Specific Gravities of Indian Woods. Indian Forest Records (New Series). Timber Mechanics. Volume 1 No. 4. Manager of Publications (Publisher, Delhi.

Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California.

Little, E.L., Wadsworth, F.H.,1964,Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.249

Little, E.L.,1948,A Collection of Tree Specimens from Western Ecuador,Caribbean Forester,9(3,pp215-98

Longwood, F.R.,1961,Puerto Rican Woods - Their Machining Seasoning and Related Characteristics,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.205

Longwood, F.R.,1962,Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.207

Loureiro, A.A., Freitas da Silva, M.,1968,Catalogo das Madeiras da Amazonia (2 vols,Min. do Ultramar Belem Brasil

Marshall, R.C.,1934,Trees of Trinidad and Tobago,Government Printer Port of Spain Trinidad

Marshall, R.C.,1939,Silviculture of the trees of Trinidad and Tobago - British West Indies,O.U.P.,London

Nazma,1981,A handbook of Kerala Timbers,Kerala Forest Research Institute Research Report, No.9

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Ratliff, E.K.,1946,Balsa (Ochroma lagopus,Wood,11(12,PP339-41

Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press

Redding, L.W.,1971,Resistance of Timbers to Impregnation with Creosote,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Bulletin No.54 pp.43

Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

Reyes, L.J.,1938,Philippine Woods,Commonwealth of the Philippines Department of Agriculture and Commerce,Technical Bulletin,No.7

Schiffino, J.,1945,Riqueza Forestal Dominicana (Three volumes,Secretaria de Estado de Agric. Ind. y Trabajo

Smith, D.N.,1959,The Natural Durability of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Record,No.30

Streets, R.J.,1962,Exotic Forest Trees in the British Commonwealth,Clarendon Press Oxford

Swabey, C.,1941,The Principal Timbers of Jamaica,Department of Science and Agriculture Jamaica Bulletin No.29

Takahashi, A.,1975,Compilation of data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part 2,Central and South America,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No.4

Tewari, M.C., Jain, J.C.,1980,Utilization of Secondary Species,Journal of the National Building Organization 25(2) pp1-6

Timber Development Association Ltd.,1948,Notes on Ecuadorian Timbers,TRADA, Timber Information,35,pp5

Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA]

U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72

USDA. 1987. Wood Handbook:Wood as an Engineering Material. Agriculture Handbook No. 72. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Madison, Wisconsin.

Venezuela-Laboratories Nacional de Productos Forestates,1974,Caraderisticas, Propiedades y usos de 104 Maderas de los allos Ilanos,occidentales,Min. Ag. y Cria, Universidad de Los andes, Merida, Venezuela Lab.Nac. de,Prod. For.

Villamil, F.G.,1971,Maderas Colombianas,Proexpo Colombia

Volkart, C.,1965,Recopilacion dedatos sobre propiedacies y usos maderos del Bosque Tropical,de las Costa Atlantica de Nicaragua,Turrialba,15(1, pp43-57

WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center-Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.

Woods, R.P.,1949,Timbers of South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Wyatt-Smith, J.,1928,Costa Rican Balsa (Ochroma lagopus,Tropical Woods,2(15,PP34-7









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