World of Wood

The Wonderful World of Wood:

BalsaWood:

• "Ochroma lagopus"

Other Names:

• Guano {Puerto Rico, Honduras}.
• Lanero {Cuba}.
• Polak {Belize, Nicaragua}.
• Topa {Peru}.
• Tami {Boliva}.

Sources:

• South America.

Tree Characteristics:

• A fast growing tree, reaching a height of about 70ft and a diameter of about 2ft in 6 to 7 years thereafter the growth rate declines.
• It is not a long lived tree, and reaches maturity in about 12 to 15 years.

Characteristics of the wood:

• The softest and lightest commercial hardwood.
• An open straight grained lustrous wood, with very pail beige to pinkish colour.
• It is relatively strong for its weight and is graded on the basis of density.
• The fast growing wood is lighter in weight than the denser, harder, slower grown wood produced in later years.
• It is not a durable wood.

Workability:

• An easy wood to work with hand and machine tools, but it tends to crumble or tear if cutting edges are not sharp.
• It sands easily and glues well.

Average dried weight:

• 10lb/cuft.

Finishing:

• It is an absorbent wood which can be stained, painted and polished satisfactorily.

Common uses:

• Insulation.
• Buoyancy aids.
• Model making.