Balsa

Balsa, common name for a tropical American tree (see Mallow). The tree may grow to a height of 18 to 21 m (60 to 70 ft). Balsa wood, also called corkwood, weighs about 97 to 130 kg/cu m (about 6 to 8 lb/cu ft) and is lighter and stronger than cork. In color it resembles white pine or basswood. Balsa has long been used, especially in South America, for raft and boat building, and the term balsa is applied to a type of raft made of two parallel cylindrical logs connected by a platform or grating. The wood is also used for life-preserver floats, surfboards, and model airplanes. It is used in the interiors of aircraft to reduce vibration and as a sound insulator. Balsa is used as a lining material in refrigerators and ship holds because of its heat-insulating qualities.

Scientific classification: Balsa belongs to the family Bombacaceae. It is classified as Ochroma lagopus.