Species hardy rubber tree
green leaves on brown twigs, branches and trunks

hardy rubber tree

Eucommia ulmoides

The Hardy Rubber Tree (Eucommia ulmoides) is an amazing species that is indigenous to China. It is renowned for its hardiness as it is able to withstand temperatures as cold as -20 °F (-29 °C). This tree can also survive in a variety of habitats, from dry sub-tropical climates to cool temperate ones. It can grow to heights of up to 40 feet (12 m). Not only is it strong and versatile, it is also attractive and easy to care for. Its leathery leaves have a beautiful dark-green hue and develop a distinctive scent when crushed. It produces white flowers in spring and clusters of small fruits in late autumn that are edible. The most amazing thing of all is that its bark can be processed and made into a milky rubber latex that can be used to make various items, including clothing and medical supplies. A truly remarkable plant!

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Air Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 7

Flowers:

Greenish-brown Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Hardy Rubber Tree plants should be watered moderately once per week. Soak the soil thoroughly and allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again. In warmer seasons, water a bit more often. Avoid overwatering, as this will cause problems such as root rot. During colder months, you should water just enough to keep the soil slightly moist. In winter, when the plant is dormant, reduce watering.

sunlight

The hardy rubber tree, also known as Eucommia ulmoides, prefers full or partial sun exposure. This plant species should receive 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day. In warmer climates with high summer temperatures, a slightly shadier location is recommended for the hardy rubber tree, as to avoid, sunburn. It is important to ensure that the soil in which the plant is planted in is well draining and that it does not sit in standing water. The hardy rubber tree should not be in full sun during the peak afternoon hours, as this can cause the leaves to become sunburned.

pruning

Hardy rubber tree should be pruned 2 times a year, in the late winter/early spring and late summer/early fall. In late winter/early spring, the tree should be pruned to reduce the overall size, remove any dead or crossing branches, and reshape the tree into its desired form. During the late summer/early fall pruning, the branches should again be cut to control size and shape; however, any shoots that have grown during the summer should be left alone. All pruning of the hardy rubber tree should be done with an anvil-style hand pruner for small branches and a lopper for larger branches. Pruning should only be done in small increments to prevent stressing the tree and it should never be pruned back past the point of sprouting new growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Eucommia ulmoides typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Eucommia ulmoides typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map