The balsa tree
 

I thought some of you might be a little bit interested to learn more about the balsa tree considering how dependent we are on it for our wonderful hobby. I'm a forester by trade so I have a natural affinity for trees. Hopefully you guys find this a little bit interesting:)

In forestry we often refer to a tree by it's scientific name rather than common name. This is mostly because the same tree can have different common names depending on the region you are in. For example a Red Maple is Acer rubra. The scientific name for the balsa tree is Ochroma lagopus.

Here is a picture of it:

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...an36/trees.gif


The balsa tree grows primarily in South and Central America and is a relatively fast growing tree. The wood that we use typically comes from a tree that is between 5-10 years old, however the tree itself can live for hundreds of years. As the tree matures, the core of the tree can rot, therefore the tree is typically harvested while young to maximize board foot production.

Balsa is actually somewhat difficult to propogate.The seeds cannot be stored and pregermination treatments are required to ensure germination rates greater than 10 percent. The fibers must be removed by hand or by burning.The seeds are then placed in boiling water and the heat source is removed. After soaking in the water for 15 minutes, the seeds must be planted immediately.

Balsa has been used for variety of tasks, including providing insulation for US spaceships, construction of the famous de Havilland Mosquito and is used in the floopan wedged in between two carbon fiber sheets in the corvette Z06.

Anyhow, thought you guys might enjoy learning a bit more about the balsa tree.

Enjoy!

RE: The balsa tree
 

Thanks for the info..... I learned something today [8D]

RE: The balsa tree
 

See what you can do to get us more of it

RE: The balsa tree
 

I wonder if they'll grow in central NY? :D
http://www.driftwoodgardens.com/pill...omalagopus.htm

RE: The balsa tree
 

Good post Mountain :D

How big in diameter can they grow to?

For the purpose of our hobby, what is the average dia. when harvested?

RE: The balsa tree
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Balsa-Wood-Tree-10-Seeds-Ochroma-pyramidale-Tropical_W0QQitemZ370163544083QQcmdZViewItemQQptZL H_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item370163544083&_trksid=p3 286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3 A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

RE: The balsa tree
 

I'm i correct, I heard it is considered a hardwood.

RE: The balsa tree
 

Mountain, great post. More [link=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ochroma_lagopus]INFO[/link]

Cheers

RE: The balsa tree
 

Hello Everyone:

This link gives some very useful information . It's about the way the log is cut
effects and how it bends or doesn't bend.

https://www.greathobbies.com/technical/tech_balsa_1.php

Bye,
Ian

RE: The balsa tree
 

Balsa is considered a hardwood scientifically

RE: The balsa tree
 

I have also read that a single balsa tree can provide boards with a great difference in density; the wood on one side may be so soft you can almost put your finger through it yet the other side be so hard you have to really work to drive a nail into it. Can anyone confirm this?

RE: The balsa tree
 

I've heard this for years. I think the younger trees are more consistant in their density

RE: The balsa tree
 

From what I understand, trees are classed as either hard or soft wood depending on the shape of their leaves. Balsa falls into the hardwood classification.

Apparently the blades for wind turbines use a balsa core so that's roughly 3 trees per turbine. It's also used as an insulating material in liquified gas tankers. Some people even use it to build model aeroplanes :).

RE: The balsa tree
 

I believe it's actually about the ratio of strength to weight. Balsa may not be incredibly strong but it IS incredibly light, so it falls into the category of a hardwood. There are lighter woods out there, but they're nowhere near as strong.

RE: The balsa tree
 

Wonderfull pictures MountaineerFan, thanks for posting them.

John

RE: The balsa tree
 

MountaineerFan36, as a lark, I bought some balsa tree seeds through the internet. They did not come with instructions for planting such as you outline. I have them in small planting pots in a greenhouse at the present, hoping to get them started and large enough to actually plant outside. I live in northern Arkansas. Am I wasting my time here? I'm not sure they will survive here even if they start, but by not boiling them, etc. before planting, am I on a fruitless mission, so to speak?

RE: The balsa tree
 

Balsa is also used in the floor of the DC-10, MD11. It is end grain balsa about 1/2 inch thick with 100th inch aluminum sheeting on both side. When I was an assembler for Generous Dynamics, we had a lady do a tour through the fuse section and walked with her high heel shoes and punch holes through the floor. They were not hard to tear up.

I have been told that the closet relative of balsa is the redwood tree. Can any one confirm this?

I figure I have been through several tree's over my life of modeling. I have re-kitted many planes over the years.


Dru.

RE: The balsa tree
 

Very interesting information...thanks!

"Thor Heyerdahl and five companions deliberately risked their lives to show that the ancient Peruvians could have voyaged 4300 miles across the Pacific to Polynesia on a similar craft."

He named the raft: Kon Tiki, in honor of a legendary sun-king of the Incas. He wrote a book about this adventure entitled Kon Tiki also.

Me? I just glue it, sand it, cover it, fly it and crash it [8D]

RE: The balsa tree
 

They did this back around 1949
The logs became water logged and the deck was awash towards the end.

RE: The balsa tree
 

Here are a few of my balsa trees growing in my office.

Lew Heifner

RE: The balsa tree
 

They look good and healthy Lew. If you have time, please keep us posted as to their progress!

RE: The balsa tree
 

My Pearson 31 sailboat has balsa cored decks in a fiberglass sandwich. End grain balsa coring is common in fiberglass boats (but lately foam is taking over).

Makes you wonder what the feral trees do in the wild?

"Honey, time to boil the kids".

RE: The balsa tree
 

I'll keep you posted, I stunted the big one by moving it. They are real sensitive.

Balsa trees are "nurse" trees. The seed lay dorment for decades and in the event of a forrest fire (boils the seeds) that clears the land, the trees sprout up and hold the soil in place. The long term trees grow too slow. The balsa trees last less than 10 years, and by then the seeds have been spread, the tree dies and the long term trees take over.

Lew Heifner

RE: The balsa tree
 

The conifers are soft woods: spruce, pine, hemlock, etc. The flowering trees are hardwoods: oak birch, balsa, ebony, etc. Has to do with the structure of the wood.

RE: The balsa tree
 

Wow, maybe I should split a load of Balsa for my woodstove this winter?