Ochroma pyramidale
Specifications
Family
Malvaceae
Species
Ochroma pyramidale (Cav. Ex Lam.) Urb
balsa tree
balsa wood
Description
It is undifferentiated, whitish in color with red hues, coarse in texture, and straight in grain. It is the lightest known wood, with a density between 0.05 and 0.25. It is easy to work. In humid environments, it is susceptible to destructive attacks by fungi and insects.
Plant morphology
It is a tree 10 to 30 m tall, with a trunk 60-90 cm in diameter and smooth, grayish bark. The leaves are simple, deeply lobed, papery in texture, and downy on the underside. The flowers are very large, solitary, white, and bell-shaped. The fruit is a cylindrical, dehiscent capsule.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Central and South America, most widespread in the eastern Amazon Basin.
Habitat and ecology
A semi-deciduous pioneer species, heliophilous but also moderately shade-loving, it is exclusive to wetter, frequently flooded areas. It grows very rapidly in primary forests and secondary formations, reaching considerable size in just a few years.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
It is widely used as a float, for thermal and acoustic insulation, and in model aircraft.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Not obvious
Texture
Coarse
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
140
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
22
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
52
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
24
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
5140
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Not durable
Insect resistance
Not resistant