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Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionSiam Balsa Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Siam Balsa is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameAlstonia spatulata
Janka hardness450 lbf
Average dried weight25.0 lb/ft³
Best fitCrates
Overview
Why choose Siam Balsa?
Siam Balsa is an imported specialty hardwood. Grows across Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. Used for crates, boxes, plywood, carvings and utility wood.
Scientific nameAlstonia spatulata
DistributionGrows across Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands
ShrinkageRadial: ~3%, Tangential: ~6%, Volumetric: ~9%, T/R Ratio: ~2 *Root wood of this species has an average dried weight of 3.6 lb/ft³ (60 kg/m³ ) and an estimated hardness of only 8 lbf (36 N).
DurabilityThe wood is perishable and has poor resistance to insects.
Siam Balsa colour, grain, and figure
Light to golden brown heartwood that blends into the sapwood. Latex canals now and then show up as thin slits.
Grain is straight or a little interlocked. Texture is fine to medium and the natural shine is low.
Working notes
It cuts easily with either hand or machine tools but bends poorly.
No reactions have been reported for Siam balsa itself, but close relatives in the genus Alstonia have caused skin irritation, possibly through the latex canals in the trunk.
Siam Balsa should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Siam Balsa
Best projects
Used for crates, boxes, plywood, carvings and utility wood.
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Siam Balsa from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Siam Balsa FAQ
What is Siam Balsa best used for?
Used for crates, boxes, plywood, carvings and utility wood. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Siam Balsa beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Siam Balsa?
The buying section on this page links to any Siam Balsa Kingma has in stock and to the closest alternatives. Stock changes often, so call (780) 229-7681 or visit the yard at 4607 91 Ave NW, Edmonton to check what is in today.