Kapok tree

Brown

Yellow

White

Pale brown

White to cream

Yellow to golden-yellow to orange

Pale red to pink

Greenish to greyish

Reddish brown

Color varies considerably

Brown

Yellow

White

Same as heartwood

Clearly differentiated from the heartwood

High

Medium

Dull

Slightly lustrous

Lustrous

The ITTO reports that the species is an important source of timber in Central America. It is exported regularly from producing countries, such as Brazil, into China and Japan. Timber production is not regular in Africa, and exports are low.

Ceiba is abundant and fast growing, but it is not considered as a major timber on the international market. The wood is similar to Balsa, but it is deemed less desirable because it is not as light. It is considered too soft and too weak to be of value as a construction or cabinetmaking timber.

Although Ceiba is not valued as an important source of timber in international commerce, the tree yields many secondary products. Very young unripe pods produced by the tree are eaten in Java, and seeds are crushed and used in soups in Africa. The seeds are also reported to contain 20 to 25% of an edible oil which is also used as a lubricant and for soap manufacture. In many parts of the world, Ceiba trees are reported to have sacred significance. The soft fiber surrounding the tiny seed produced by Ceiba trees, known as Kapok, is used locally to stuff mattresses and pillows, and also for insulation. The fiber is immune to fungi and insect attack and has also been used in life-jackets, life-buoys, upholstery, saddles, sleeping bags, surgical bandages, shoe linings, clothing for aviators, and other protective clothing. Kapok is about 8 times lighter than cotton and requires less in weight for stuffing than any other material. It also has low thermal conductivity, and is one of the best known acoustic insulators on a weight basis.