balsa wood

Balsa Discolorations

Balsa discolorations do not seem to affect the strength of the balsa. These discolorations can be black, blue, red, orange, light brown, dark brown, green, or yellow. Each is caused by a separate condition. Most commonly spalting is black and blue and mineral stains are brown. I build balsa towers using this particular "B-grade" balsa and haven't noticed an increase or decrease in the weight to strength ratio for this particular discolored balsa.