How far north can we grow Balsa trees? - Ask Extension
There's a world-wide shortage of balsa wood. Some say it's because of wind turbines blades that can't be recycled. I would think that South Florida a...
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How far north can we grow Balsa trees? #681368
Asked February 21, 2021, 4:11 PM EST
There's a world-wide shortage of balsa wood. Some say it's because of wind turbines blades that can't be recycled. I would think that South Florida and Texas might be two possible candidates for such plantations or ornimental trees. Can you assist in researching what climate these trees need, and if the swamps, barrier islands and tropical Florida might support such a tree? Also, what pests do they attract? Fire ants? Termites?
Athens County Ohio
Expert Response
This is an interesting proposal. I am currently talking with my colleagues about the viability of such a project. The biggest concerned discussed was introducing a non-native species to a native environment. Because of this, it would be a long process to insure that there would be no detrimental effects to the habitat where it would be introduced.
The growth requirements for balsa is a daytime temperature range of 18 - 35°c (64 to 95 F) , (but can tolerate 15 - 38°c (59 to 100.5 F). During dormancy, the tree can survive temperatures as low as 5°c (41 F). With these growth requirements. I would be hesitant to grow a long-term crop in the continental United States. In the ares that suggested, temperatures may indeed remain above the critical minimum for most years, but one year with temperatures falling below the minimum may damage or kill the entire crop. Areas with long-term viability would include Puerto Rico and Hawaii.
I will continue researching the topic to see if there are other aspects of such a project that would make it more viable.
The growth requirements for balsa is a daytime temperature range of 18 - 35°c (64 to 95 F) , (but can tolerate 15 - 38°c (59 to 100.5 F). During dormancy, the tree can survive temperatures as low as 5°c (41 F). With these growth requirements. I would be hesitant to grow a long-term crop in the continental United States. In the ares that suggested, temperatures may indeed remain above the critical minimum for most years, but one year with temperatures falling below the minimum may damage or kill the entire crop. Areas with long-term viability would include Puerto Rico and Hawaii.
I will continue researching the topic to see if there are other aspects of such a project that would make it more viable.
I am sorry. There is no additional information that I can provide on this topic. Possible future research may provide additional information.
