Palaquium gutta aka Gutta Percha Tree

Palaquium gutta is the gutta-percha tree. This evergreen belongs to the Sapotaceae family. It comes from western Malesia. Its range includes Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. It also includes Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. It grows in lowland and hill forests in wet tropical climates. Trees grow here and there in forests, including on limestone.

Garden sources give a height near 66 feet (20 metres). Forest sources report heights of 82 feet (25 metres). Rare trees reach 148 feet (45 metres). The listed garden spread is 66 feet (20 metres). Its straight trunk can reach 2 feet (0.6 metres) across. Small buttresses, or root flares, often form at its base. The bark has cracks and a reddish-brown hue. Oval leaves feel firm and papery. Their undersides bear reddish-brown hairs. Each flower cluster holds up to 12 blooms. The fruit is round or oval.

This tree needs warmth and suits USDA zones 10–12. It grows best with yearly mean temperatures of 24–30°C. Mature trees need sun, while young plants need shade. Give it deep, fertile soil that drains well. Loose soil rich in organic matter suits it best. It accepts sand, loam, or clay with good drainage. Keep the soil moist. It prefers slightly acid to neutral soil. It can also cope with some alkalinity. Sources describe its growth as fast.

The tree yields gutta-percha, a material made from its latex. Dried latex turns hard but does not become brittle. Heat above 50°C makes it soft enough to shape. It keeps its new shape as it cools. Past uses include insulation for electrical parts. It also covered telegraph wires under water. Other uses include golf-ball cores, dental fillings, and goods made for display. Synthetic materials have taken its place in many such uses. Its wood serves for boards, panelling, and furniture. The seeds yield fat for cooking, soap, and candles. Sources report no known hazards. This does not mean it is safe in all cases.

Fresh seed gives the best chance of raising new trees. Stored seed loses its power to sprout within two to eight weeks. Seedlings soon grow a strong taproot, the main root growing down. They need deep nursery beds. Young plants need ample water. Losses after planting can be high. The supplied sources name no specific pests or diseases. Loss of wild habitat remains a concern. Useful Tropical Plants reports a 2018 IUCN assessment of Near Threatened.