(''Ochroma lagopus'', synonym ''O. pyramidale'') is a large, fast-growing Tree to 30 m tall, native from Tropical South America north to southern Mexico . It is Evergreen , or dry-season Deciduous if the dry season is long, with large (30–50 cm) weakly palmately lobed leaves. The name ''balsa'' derives from Spanish for a Raft .
The Timber is very soft and light with a coarse open grain. The Density of balsa Wood ranges from 100–200 kg/m³, with a typical density of about 140 kg/m³ (about one third the density of ordinary wood). This makes it a very popular material for model making and buoyancy materials (lifebelts, etc.), and was famously used by Thor Heyerdahl in his raft Kon-Tiki . It is also used to make very light, stiff structures in wooden Light Aeroplane s, typically sandwiched between two pieces of thin Plywood .
Despite being very soft, balsa is classified as a Hardwood , the softest commercial hardwood.
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