Balsa
Ochroma pyramidale • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Typically straight and very open-textured, with a coarse, uniform surface. Distinct growth rings are usually absent or inconspicuous in this sample.
Color Description
Heartwood is a pale creamy white to oatmeal color, sometimes with a pinkish or brownish tinge. Sapwood is nearly white and indistinguishable from heartwood. It has a dull to low luster.
Hardness Rating
88 lbf (Very Soft) - The softest commercial hardwood.
Durability Rating
Non-durable; highly susceptible to rot, decay, and insect attack if not treated or kept dry.
Common Uses
Model making, aircraft components (historical), core material for sandwich constructions (wind turbine blades, boats), surfboards, and fishing lures.
Geographic Origin
Humid tropics of the Americas, specifically ranging from southern Mexico to southern Brazil; Ecuador is the primary commercial source.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 to $20.00 per board foot, though usually sold in small hobby blocks or sheets.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled to medium age (0-5 years); the surface shows high-velocity milling marks and localized crushing typical of relatively new hobby or industrial stock.
Sustainability Status
IUCN Least Concern; widely available and fast-growing; often plantation-grown and considered highly sustainable.
Workability
Extremely easy to cut with a sharp craft knife or saw, but very prone to crushing and tearing if tools are dull. Glues and finishes well, though it is highly absorbent.
Notable Features
Extremely lightweight with a very high strength-to-weight ratio. It has a velvet-like feel and lacks a distinct scent. It is technically a hardwood despite being softer than most softwoods.
Finish Recommendations
Sanding sealer or wood filler is often required due to high porosity. Accepts lacquer, acrylic hobby paints, and light polyurethane well.
Identification Confidence
High; the pale color, extremely porous/coarse open grain, and characteristic surface crushing/scratches are diagnostic of Balsa wood.