Eucommia ulmoides, commonly known as Hardy Rubber Tree, is a deciduous tree native to the forest margins, stream banks, and mountain foothills of China. It typically grows to about 49 feet (15 meters) tall and has a rounded crown. The Hardy Rubber Tree is notable for its glossy green leaves, which, when torn, exude latex that can solidify into rubber, demonstrating the tree’s unique characteristic of latex production. It flowers from March to May with inconspicuous, small, and greenish flowers that are not particularly showy.

The Hardy Rubber Tree is valued for its adaptability to urban environments, tolerance of pollution, and its potential as a source of natural rubber in colder climates where other rubber-producing plants cannot survive. It is used in botanical gardens and private gardens for its interesting botanical properties and as a conversation piece. The tree is also appreciated for its attractive, elm-like form, making it suitable for use as a shade tree or ornamental specimen. It thrives in full sun to part shade, requires medium amounts of water, and prefers well-drained soils. While it is generally pest and disease resistant, it can occasionally suffer from leaf spot or canker. It is not known to have aggressive roots or to be particularly invasive outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0