![]() Intensive tapping is done to older trees during its last years just before it is cut. The serum left after latex coagulation is rich in quebrachitol, a cyclitol or cyclic polyol. Naturally coagulated latex, sometimes referred to as cup lump, is collected for processing into block rubbers, which are referred to as technically specified rubbers (TSRs). This form of latex is used as the raw material for latex concentrate, which is used for dipped rubber products or for the manufacture of ribbed smoke sheet grades. Plastic bags containing a coagulant have replaced cups in many plantations in Malaysia. Ammonia solution helps prevent natural coagulation and allows the latex to remain in its liquid state. The work is done at night or in the early morning before the day's temperature rises, so the latex will drip longer before coagulating and sealing the cut.ĭepending on the final product, additional chemicals can be added to the latex cup to preserve the latex longer. The spiral allows the latex to run down to a collecting cup. Then the opposite side will be tapped, allowing this side to heal over. If done carefully and with skill, this tapping panel will yield latex for up to five hours. Process Rubber tapping in the cool of the nightĮach night a rubber tapper must remove a thin layer of bark along a downward half spiral on the tree trunk. Mono culture rubber tree plantations have far less of an environmental impact than other crops, such as coffee or especially oil palm. Jungle rubber is expected to resemble primary forest in its hydrological functions. ![]() Thiollay (1995) estimated that jungle rubber supports about 137 bird species, against 241 in the primary forest itself. Michon and de Foresta (1994) found that sample jungle rubber sites contained 92 tree species, 97 lianas, and 28 epiphytes compared with 171, 89, and 63, respectively, in the primary forest, and compared with 1, 1, and 2 in monoculture estates. Its species' richness is about half that of the primary forest. Jungle rubber is essentially old secondary forest, strongly resembling the primary forest. Rubber tapping is not damaging to the forest, as it does not require the tree to be cut down in order for the latex to be extracted. Trees must be approximately six years old and six inches (150 mm) in diameter in order to be tapped for latex. ![]() The latex is harvested by slicing a groove into the bark of the tree at a depth of one-quarter inch (6.4 mm) with a hooked knife and peeling back the bark. Rubber tapping is the process by which latex is collected from a rubber tree. Process by which latex is collected from a rubber tree Rubber tapping in Indonesia, 1951 ![]()
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