Hardy Rubber Tree

Eucommia ulmoides . A handsome, deciduous green shade tree without pests. Upright - spreading to broadly spreading with a broad rounded crown, often growing wider than tall at maturity. Medium Coarse in texture, moderately fast-growing to 45' tall. Bark is gray-brown, ridged and furrowed.

All but absent in the Albuquerque urban forest, yet reportedly performs well while add diversity/resilience to our urban canopy. Widely recognized for its pest-free foliage, drought hardiness, and extreme cold tolerance - is expected to thrive in our climate. 

Commonly known as the hardy rubber tree, it is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree that is native to China. This tree is prized for its strong and durable rubber-like sap, as well as its ornamental value in landscaping.

The hardy rubber tree's leaves are unique in that they are the only ones that produce rubber in temperate climates. The leaves are simple and elongated, with a bright green color that turns yellow in the fall. The bark is also notable, with a distinctive corky texture.

The hardy rubber tree is known for its hardiness and adaptability, tolerating a wide range of soil types and growing conditions. It can thrive in full sun or partial shade and is resistant to many common pests and diseases.

In landscaping, the hardy rubber tree is prized for its ornamental value, providing both visual interest and shade. It is also a popular choice for urban areas, as it is tolerant of pollution and can withstand harsh environmental conditions.

While the hardy rubber tree's rubber production is not as extensive as that of tropical rubber trees, it still has commercial value and is used in traditional Chinese medicine for its health benefits. As such, this tree is not only beautiful but also culturally significant and economically valuable.