Eucommia ulmoides, commonly known as the hardy rubber tree, is a unique and valuable deciduous tree that is native to China. It typically grows 30 to 60 feet tall and features glossy, dark green, elliptic leaves that turn yellow in autumn. When torn, the leaves exude visible strands of latex, a characteristic linked to its historic use as a source of natural rubber. Unlike tropical rubber trees, Eucommia ulmoides thrives in temperate climates, making it the only cold-hardy rubber-producing tree. The tree is valued for its resistance to pests and diseases and its adaptability to various soil types, including poor or compacted soils.