COMMON NAMES:   Balsa

SPECIFIC GRAVITY:   .10 - .17

DENSITY:  6 - 11 lbs./cu.ft.

TANGENTIAL MOVEMENT:   7.6%

RADIAL MOVEMENT:   3%

VOLUMETRIC SHRINKAGE:   10.8%

DURABILITY1:   Poor

SOURCE:  Central and South America, West Indies and Ecuador

DESCRIPTION:   Lightest wood in commercial use. Sapwood of fast grown trees is selected for export. Very soft yet strong, considering its weight. Odorless, good insulating and acoustical properties.

1 Durability refers to a wood's resistance to rotting in wet environments.