Eucommia ulmoides seeds (Hardy Rubber Tree)

Description

A rare and unusual tree second only to ginseng in traditional Chinese medicine. Aptly named as its the only temperate climate tree able to produce rubber. Quick growing, attractive, pest and disease resistant.  Robust enough for use for urban/street tree plantings or in the garden as a 10m tall shade ornamental with its thick glossy attractive elm like dark green leaves. Very nice pale grey fissured bark. Gendered species. Possessing only 3-4% latex rubber, you won’t be able to make your own tires (yet), but the latex acts as a natural deterrent for many nibbling pests. Almost extinct in the wild due to over zealous bark harvesting. Studies show the leaves possess the same plethora of health benefits as the bark and you can harvest the leaves without harming the tree.

• Seed Count: 15-20
• Collection Date: Oct 2022
• Hardiness Zone: 5-9
• Height and Width:
• Germination test type: actual/cut

How to germinate Eucommia ulmoides seeds:

Soak seed 48 hours. Cold stratify 60-90 days. Optimum germination temp: 18 C. Cold germination temps (10 C) produce weak seedlings. Temps higher than 25 C is lethal. When soaking in my ‘Skookum Grow’ for 48 hours (until the seeds sink…the latex in the seed coat isn’t entirely impermeable), I’ve had Eucommia germinate on day 30 of cold stratification in the fridge without the benefit of warmth. Produced good strong seedlings.