Eucommia ulmoides

This rare and wonderful tree native to China is thought to be extinct in the wild; a medium sized tree (40-60') with very ornamental, large, glossy elm-like leaves, inconspicuous green flowers in spring give way to flattened, winged seeds; tear a leaf and you will see why it is called the rubber tree, it is the only hardy tree known to produce rubber, but the extraction is too costly for commercial use, also reportedly a source of a hypertension drug in China; tolerates a wide range of soil types, but cannot tolerate wet feet. S/M

Mature height 40-60 ft. tall and no fall color to recommend it. A good summer shade tree; you won't put Goodyear out of business growing a plantation of them. Curiosity plant, trouble free.

3-8" very lustrous dark green leaves look at those they've been waxed, they're so shiny on a medium size tree with Elm-like (ulmoides) ascending branches; rounded to board spreading form; low branching. Grown as an ornamental shade tree because of its attractive glossy green foliage and its excellent resistance to insect and disease problems. Probably extinct now in it's native China. Rubber can actually be made from the tree but the process is cost-prohibitive unfortunately. A wonderful, FAST shade tree for lawns or parks. Male or female BUT this only matters if you want seed - otherwise, the sexes are identical.