Weru

Weru is a local Indonesian name for the wood of Cerbera manghas, also known as Sea Mango. This tree species belongs to the Apocynaceae family.
Botanical Name: Cerbera manghas Local Names: Weru (Indonesia), Sea Mango, Suicide Tree (due to the toxicity of its fruits and seeds). Origin and Distribution: Commonly found in coastal areas and mangrove forests across Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, as well as parts of Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Wood Appearance:
Color: The sapwood (younger part) is light yellow or whitish. The heartwood typically has a light yellow, golden-yellow, or pale brown color, which may darken to medium-brown or reddish-brown upon exposure to light.
Grain Pattern: The grain can be straight, wavy, or interlocked. It does not exhibit pronounced, contrasting stripes or intricate figures like ebony or rosewood.
Texture: Fine and uniform.
Wood Properties:
Density and Hardness: Weru is considered a wood of medium to moderately hard and dense character. It is not as hard as ebony or rosewood but sufficiently dense for many applications.
Stability: It is considered moderately stable after drying.
Durability: It has moderate natural resistance to rot and insects. It is not a highly resistant species.
Workability:
Weru is relatively easy to work with using both hand and power tools. It cuts, sands, and glues well.
It takes a good polish.
Applications:
Local Crafts and Furniture: Often used locally for making simple furniture, decorative items, frames, doors, and other light constructions.
Turning: Suitable for turned items due to its uniform texture.
Knifemaking: In knifemaking, Weru is used, but it is not considered a premium material like rosewood or ebony. Due to its moderate hardness and lack of unique figure, it is often used for more simple or utilitarian handles. Stabilization may be required to enhance its strength and durability.
Caution Regarding Fruit Toxicity: It is important to note that while the wood itself is not considered as dangerous as the fruits and seeds, it is always recommended to take precautions when working with it (use a mask, work in a well-ventilated area) due to potential dust that might cause irritation.
Conclusion:
Weru is a medium to moderately dense Asian wood with a relatively light color that is easy to work with. While it does not possess the outstanding decorative qualities or exceptional hardness of some other exotic species, it is a perfectly suitable material for various woodworking projects and knife handles, especially if stabilized.

LATIN: CERBERA MANGHAS