The hardy rubber tree is a deciduous tree in the Eucommiaceae family and is the only living species in the genus. It is native to China and is considered threatened in the wild but is widely cultivated due to its use in Chinese herbal medicine. This tree grows slowly to 40-60 feet tall and 30-50 feet wide with a dense round crown at maturity but more pyramidal shaped when young. It can be grown in a variety of well-drained moist soils in full sun and is drought-tolerant once established. The tree is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female trees that produce inconspicuous flowers. Female trees produce winged samara from summer to fall. It is best used as a shade tree for streets and parks because of its attractive shiny leaves and resistance to insect and disease problems. It will also do well as a shade tree for your yard. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in. | Width: 25 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Rounded
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong; Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Green glossy leaves are elliptic, ovate, to oblong-ovate, 3-8 inches long and 2-4 inches wide. The tip is acuminate and the margins are serrate. Mature leaves have a wrinkled appearance. When torn it exudes a rubbery latex.
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Green
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower detail
Separate male and female trees. Flowers are small, greenish-brown and inconspicuous.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Samara
Fruit size
1-3 inches long
Fruit detail
Flattened winged seeds about 1” to 11/2” long.
Bark color
Light Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
Ridged or furrowed, grey/brown bark provides interest.