corkoak

Corkoak, commonly called cork oak, refers to Quercus suber, an evergreen oak in the family Fagaceae. It is native to the western Mediterranean region, including Portugal, Spain, southern France, parts of Italy, and northwest Africa, where it forms extensive stands known as montados or dehesas that merge woodland with pasture and olive or cereal crops.

The tree is medium to large, reaching up to about 15 meters in height. It has a broad, irregular crown and leathery, evergreen leaves typically 4–9 cm long. The most distinctive feature is its thick, rugged bark, which contains the cork layer that can be stripped and reused. Cork is harvested every several years (commonly 9–12) without harming the tree, allowing repeated harvests over many decades.

Corkoak thrives in well-drained, often calcareous soils under a warm, dry Mediterranean climate. It is drought-tolerant and well adapted to poor soils. In its ecosystem, cork oak woodlands support a diverse flora and fauna and provide critical services such as soil stabilization, carbon storage, and habitat for species adapted to mosaic landscapes. Traditional management practices, including periodic pruning and controlled grazing, help maintain these systems.

Uses and economic significance center on cork production. The harvested bark is processed into cork for wine stoppers, cork boards, flooring, insulation, and various engineered products. Portugal is the leading cork producer, followed by Spain and other countries around the western Mediterranean. While demand for natural cork has fluctuated with alternative closures, sustainable cork harvesting remains a cornerstone of certain rural economies and landscape conservation.