What does a rubber tapper do?
A rubber tapper collects latex from the bark of a rubber tree, which is turned into rubber. Each night a rubber tapper must remove a thin layer of bark along a downward half spiral on the tree trunk. If done carefully and with skill, this tapping panel will yield latex for up to 5 years. Then the opposite side will be tapped allowing this side to heal over. The spiral allows the latex to run down to a collecting cup. The work is done at night so the latex will drip longer before coagulating and sealing the cut.