Balsa
Ochroma pyramidale • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, moderately open-grained, and coarse. The sample shows a flat-sawn face with some fuzzy surface texture due to its low density fibers being crushed rather than cleanly cut.
Color Description
Pale cream to off-white with occasional light tan or pinkish-red streaks. It has a dull to low luster and typically darkens slightly to a yellowish hue with age.
Hardness Rating
100 lbf (Very Soft)
Durability Rating
Non-durable. Perishable and highly susceptible to insect attack and rot if exposed to moisture.
Common Uses
Model building, aircraft construction core, surfboards, insulation, stage props, fishing lures, and specialized flotation devices.
Geographic Origin
Native to Southern Mexico through Central and South America; largely commercially grown in plantations in Ecuador.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$5.00 - $10.00 per board foot, though often sold in smaller craft blocks or thin sheets at higher unit prices.
Wood Age Estimate
Fresh cut to 1 year. The wood lacks significant oxidation and shows fresh mechanical crushing/scoring marks typical of recently processed lumber.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN). Generally very sustainable due to rapid growth rate and widespread managed plantation cultivation.
Workability
Very easy to cut with hand tools (razors/knives) but difficult to plane cleanly because of its low density; it tends to crush rather than shear. Glues and finishes well but is highly absorbent.
Notable Features
Extremely lightweight and buoyant. It is technically a hardwood despite being softer than most softwoods. It has a high strength-to-weight ratio and minimal scent.
Finish Recommendations
Sanding sealer is recommended first due to high porosity. Can be finished with light lacquer, acrylic paint, or polyurethane, though heavy finishes add significant weight.
Identification Confidence
High. The extremely pale color, distinctively 'fuzzy' end-grain crushing, visible cross-grain scoring from soft-fiber processing, and characteristic low-density appearance are diagnostic for Balsa.