Balsa

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Balsa (Ochroma lagopus, synonym O. pyramidale) is a large, fast-growing tree to 30 m tall, native from tropical South America north to southern Mexico. It is evergreen, or dry-season deciduous if the dry season is long, with large (30–50 cm) weakly palmately lobed leaves. The name balsa derives from Spanish for a raft.

Related Topics:
Tree - Tropical - South America - Mexico - Evergreen - Deciduous - Spanish - Raft

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The timber is very soft and light with a coarse open grain. The density of balsa wood ranges from 100–200 kg/m³, with a typical density of about 140 kg/m³ (about one third the density of ordinary wood). This makes it a very popular material for model making and buoyancy materials (lifebelts, etc.), and was famously used by Thor Heyerdahl in his raft Kon-Tiki.

Related Topics:
Timber - Density - Wood - Thor Heyerdahl - Kon-Tiki

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Balsa is classified as a hardwood, the softest commercial hardwood.

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