Cork Oak

The cork oak (Quercus suber) is a tree native to the Mediterranean region, renowned for its thick, rugged bark. This bark is harvested to produce cork, a versatile, renewable material used in wine stoppers, flooring, and insulation. The tree's bark can be stripped every 9 to 12 years without harming it, allowing continuous cork production over many decades. Cork oaks also support diverse ecosystems, providing habitat for various species. They grow slowly and can live for over 200 years, playing an important ecological and economic role in sustainable forestry.