Korkkipu

Korkkipu, known scientifically as Quercus suber, is an evergreen oak native to the western Mediterranean region, including parts of Portugal, Spain and the Maghreb. It is best known for its thick cork bark, which regenerates after harvest and provides the basis for the commercial cork industry. The tree typically forms part of Mediterranean woodlands and agroforestry systems.

Description and biology

The cork oak is a medium-sized tree that can reach notable girth and height under favorable conditions. Its leaves are dark green, leathery, and often lobed. The most distinctive feature is its bark, which becomes deeply fissured and corky with age. The cork layer is harvested periodically without killing the tree, allowing regrowth and repeated cork production over many decades.

Distribution, habitat and ecology

Quercus suber thrives in hot, dry Mediterranean climates on well-drained soils, commonly in Portugal, western Spain and parts of North Africa. It forms important landscape types such as montados in Portugal and dehesas in Spain, where it coexists with grasses and other vegetation under low-intensity grazing. The species is adapted to drought and poor soils; cork oak ecosystems host a high level of biodiversity and provide habitat for numerous plant and animal species. Fire, pests, and land-use changes can threaten local populations, making sustainable management important.

Uses and production

The cork bark is the primary product associated with korkkipu. Cork is harvested in rounds every several years, in a process performed by trained workers to protect the cambium and enable regrowth. After harvesting, the bark is boiled, processed, and manufactured into cork stoppers for bottles and a wide range of cork products, including flooring, insulation and cushioning materials. The tree remains alive after bark removal, and the wood can be used for timber or fuel.

Conservation and significance

Quercus suber is listed as Least Concern by many conservation assessments, but regional declines occur due to land-use change, wildfires and disease pressures. Sustainable cork production supports rural economies in southern Europe and contributes to carbon storage and biodiversity in cork-oak landscapes.