Episode 78: The Balsa Tree

It’s no coincidence that model planes, cars, and other scale replicas are often made from the same material: Balsa wood. The wood of the Balsa tree is incredibly lightweight and uniquely strong given the former characteristic. And on top of the incredible biology associated with this, the Balsa Tree has been involved in some incredible adventures–like the Kon-Tiki Expedition from South America to Polynesia. Learn why I’ve decided to attribute symbolism of discovery with this jungle giant.
Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com)
Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram
Script editing and social media is managed by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com)
Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast

Sources

https://www.kew.org/plants/balsa-tree

https://myplantin.com/plant/5353

https://www.kon-tiki.no/expeditions/kon-tiki-expedition/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-voyage-kon-tiki-misled-world-about-navigating-pacific-180952478/

https://www.mat.uc.pt/~pedro/ncientificos/artigos/techbal.html

https://www.si.edu/object/de-havilland-dh-98-btt-mk-35-mosquito%3Anasm_A19640023000

https://futuretreehealth.com.au/balsa-tree/

https://news.mongabay.com/2021/08/indigenous-amazonian-communities-bear-the-burden-of-ecuadors-balsa-boom/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305346606_ANIMAL_VISITATION_AND_POLLINATION_OF_FLOWERING_BALSA_TREES_Ochroma_pyramidale_IN_PANAMA_VISITA_DE_ANIMALES_Y_POLINIZACION_DE_ARBOLES_DE_BALSO_Ochroma_pyramidale_EN_PANAMA