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What do you know about rubber trees? I know they grow in the tropics, mainly SE Asian countries; however, I do know rubber trees are in other parts of the world. Does extracting the resin/rubber hurt the trees? Are they a protected species? I'm sure the demand for rubber is high?
Latex is the rubber trees sap. So, yes - it's used to make mattresses, pillows, tires (it's a mix of natural and synthetic rubber), glue, gloves, swim caps, chewing gum, catheters, rubber bands, balloons, tennis shoes, and many other sporting goods, condoms, seal rings, shoe soles, balls, rubber bands, clothes, toys.... actually about 40,000 products.
Annually ~19lb sap (latex) is tapped from a single tree. But that doesn't harm the trees that could be tapped for 40 years. That milky liquid contains about 30% rubber.
What do you know about rubber trees? I know they grow in the tropics, mainly SE Asian countries; however, I do know rubber trees are in other parts of the world. Does extracting the resin/rubber hurt the trees? Are they a protected species? I'm sure the demand for rubber is high?
Rubber initially came from the India rubber plant (Ficus elastica), which was grown in West Africa and SE Asia. In the 20th century, rubber plantations began to grow the rubber tree instead (Hevea brasiliensis), which comes from South America (thus, the brasiliensis species name).
I used to live in Malaysia where there are many rubber tree plantations. The industry there advertises themselves as one of the world's first green industries.
When the trees stop producing sufficient amounts of latex, they are cut and the lumber made into furniture. I owned a rubberwood kitchen table set (table and chairs) in Malaysia, and also bought a small folding table that I still have.
Rubber initially came from the India rubber plant (Ficus elastica), which was grown in West Africa and SE Asia. In the 20th century, rubber plantations began to grow the rubber tree instead (Hevea brasiliensis), which comes from South America (thus, the brasiliensis species name).
I used to live in Malaysia where there are many rubber tree plantations. The industry there advertises themselves as one of the world's first green industries.
When the trees stop producing sufficient amounts of latex, they are cut and the lumber made into furniture. I owned a rubberwood kitchen table set (table and chairs) in Malaysia, and also bought a small folding table that I still have.
Thanks for the information, Teak! I didn't know the trees were cut and made into furniture. Question: Is the latex, a sticky material?
Yes, latex is somewhat sticky. I used to grow a rubber plant (Ficus elastica) and occasionally when I wanted to reroot it, I would cut the stem and latex would ooze out. It was milky and a little bit sticky.
Latex is produced by around 10% of flowering plants and is a defense mechanism against insects. It is not the same as sap as erroneously posted earlier in this thread. Latex is distinctly different from sap in its makeup, use by the plant, and is produced separately from sap.
I note that you must like trees given your C-D nickname "hickoryfan". I also chose my name for my favorite tree "teak" (Tectona grandis). In Malaysia, I purchased a bunch of teak furniture before moving back stateside. Teak is a durable wood, infused with oils that keep it from rotting or weathering quickly.
Most of the teak furniture in Malaysia is made with plantation teak grown in Indonesia. But I was lucky and found a lounger chair made from Burmese teak, the gold standard in teak. It has tighter grain and darker color. Here is an example comparison, the Burmese is the upper sample:
Teak, thanks for posting the link to that Wood Database. https://www.wood-database.com/ There's some great wood information and illustrations there. That's gone onto my favourites list.
Yes, latex is somewhat sticky. I used to grow a rubber plant (Ficus elastica) and occasionally when I wanted to reroot it, I would cut the stem and latex would ooze out. It was milky and a little bit sticky.
Latex is produced by around 10% of flowering plants and is a defense mechanism against insects. It is not the same as sap as erroneously posted earlier in this thread. Latex is distinctly different from sap in its makeup, use by the plant, and is produced separately from sap.
I note that you must like trees given your C-D nickname "hickoryfan". I also chose my name for my favorite tree "teak" (Tectona grandis). In Malaysia, I purchased a bunch of teak furniture before moving back stateside. Teak is a durable wood, infused with oils that keep it from rotting or weathering quickly.
Most of the teak furniture in Malaysia is made with plantation teak grown in Indonesia. But I was lucky and found a lounger chair made from Burmese teak, the gold standard in teak. It has tighter grain and darker color. Here is an example comparison, the Burmese is the upper sample:
Thank you for all the information! Glad you caught my handle too! It's the town I live in, but the Hickory Tree has a history in our city.
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