Natural rubber is harvested from the milky white latex of a number of species of plants which flourish in the tropics. The rubber tree (or Hevea brasiliensis) has achieved considerable commercial importance.

The tree is native to the Amazon region and is now cultivated in virtually all tropical regions of South America, Africa and Asia. 90% of the world's production of natural rubber is harvested from the rubber tree.

To harvest the milky white latex that natural rubber is made from a diagonal incision is made in the bark of the tree, allowing the latex to exude. The tree responds to the harvesting of their milk by producing more and more milk making it a rather sustainable product.