Collection: Balsa

Appearance of Balsa Timber

Balsa timber is typically white to oatmeal in color, sometimes with a pinkish hue near the heartwood in older trees. Most commercial Balsa is derived from the sapwood, which has a coarse and even texture due to its large, infrequent sap-conducting vessels. The grain is straight, providing a silky luster and a visually soft, uniform appearance, ideal for applications where aesthetics and lightweight properties are key.

Common Applications of Balsa Timber

Owing to its lightweight, insulating, and buoyant properties, Balsa is widely used in specialized fields. It is favored for surfboards, model making, laboratory mounting boards, and aircraft construction. Other common applications include ship and boat building, musical instruments, toys, turnery, and blockboards, as well as sporting goods and novelties that benefit from Balsa’s versatility and ease of handling.

Workability of Balsa Timber

Despite its softness, Balsa is highly workable and performs well with tools, provided that cutting edges are sharp to avoid crumbling. It can be nailed, though the holding power is minimal. Balsa is also highly absorbent, making it easy to glue, stain, and polish. However, kiln drying is preferred over air drying due to its high green moisture content (200-400%) and tendency to split if not processed quickly after felling.

Durability and Maintenance of Balsa Timber

Balsa is prone to insect attacks, including Anobium, termites, and longhorn beetles, and while the sapwood is permeable, the heartwood is resistant to impregnation. Older trees are often brittle and prone to decay, so younger Balsa wood is preferred for commercial uses.

Origin and Availability of Balsa Timber

Most of the world’s Balsa supply comes from Ecuador, which provides 80-90% of the global market. Balsa is widely available from hardware and arts and crafts retailers, allowing easy access for various applications that require this unique, lightweight timber.