Eucommia ulmoides

Hardy Rubber Tree

The Hardy Rubber Tree is an adaptable, relatively trouble-free plant that makes for an excellent shade tree. Its sap can be harvested for rubber, but this is an expensive and complex process. The specific epithet (ulmoides) refers to the leaf shape of the Elm genus (Ulmus), which is similar to that of Hardy Rubber Tree leaves. It is the only member of this family. Contains about 3% rubber content on a dry weight basis. It is the only rubber producing tree for the central and northern parts of the U.S. Extraction can be very difficult. Leaves are shaped similarly to elms. Adaptable to soils ranging above a pH of 7, intolerant of poor drainage.