My kapok is about 12 years old from seed.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2499768780064494108KgcVBv

Here is a link that might be useful: kapok

Every year as a kid when visiting my Grandparents in Florida we used to visit a landmark local restaraunt in Clearwater, Florida called "The Kapok Tree." If I recall it had a huge Kapok specimen growing up through the floor and through through the high glass ceiling. Your post brought back some good memories for me thanks.