Cork Oak

Cork Oak
Related Category: Plants
name for an evergreen species of the oak genus (Quercus) of the family Fagaceae (beech family).

Cork Oaks for cork production are grown mainly in Portugal, but also in Spain, Algeria, and somewhat in France. The production starts when the tree is 40 to 50 years. Only the outer, dead corky bark is removed.

Cork Oak
Wide-spreading, large-trunked Oaks are known for their long life, strength and majestic beauty. They have many forms, but are mostly deciduous trees and some shrubs. Some like wet soil, while others prefer dry.

18. Cork Oak
(Quercus Suber)
Family: Fagaceae Tree Tour Previous Next ...

The cork oak at Kew
Quercus suber at Kew Gardens (Image: RBG Kew)
Cork oak can be seen growing at Kew in the Mediterranean Garden - see location on interactive map.

Cork Oak
Cork Oak (Quercus Suber) - The Cork Oak, except for the curious growth of its bark, hardly differs in effect from the Holm Oak.

cork oak Fagaceae Quercus suber L.   symbol: QUSU5

Leaf: Alternate, simple, evergreen, leathery, ovate to elliptical, 2 to 3 inches long, margin either entire or usually with wavy teeth; leaf surface cupped, dark green above, ...

Cork Oak KWER-kus SOO-ber
Broadleaf evergreen tree, 70-100 ft (21-30 m) high, equal spread, short trunk, round crown, thick branches. Trunk and main limbs covered with thick, corky bark (the cork of commerce).

Thick, lightweight bark from the Mediterranean cork oak is boiled and used as "nuggets" for potting orchids. Cork is inert, providing no nutrients. When cork is utilized as a main potting ingredient, charcoal is almost always added (60:40).

Cork Oak Quercus suber
Dyer's Oak - Quercus velutina
Eastern Black Oak - Quercus velutina'
English Oak - Quercus robur
Island Oak Quercus. tomentella
Mirbeck's Oak - Quercus canariensis
Mossycup White Oak - Quercus macrocarpa ...

Cork Oak (Quercus suber) - 4 (1 gal)
Shreve Oak (Quercus parvula var. shreveii (?)) - 2 (1 gal)
Himalayan White Pine (Pinus wallichiana) - 1 (1 gal)
Chir Pine (Pinus roxburghii) - 1 (1 gal)
Big-Cone Pinyon Pine (Pinus maximartinezii) - 1 (liner) ...

Cork (also called periderm) is the soft, light-weight bark of the cork oak tree. This low-density material floats in water. Cork cells are made by cork cambium cells. Cork contains suberin, a waxy, water-proof material.

The vegetation must be hardy and drought resistant and will include evergreens, cacti, olive and fruit trees, and cork oak, among others. Small hard needles are an asset in this environment, as well as plants with small leathery leafs.

The species name "phellos" is Latin for cork -- apparently because old trees have a thick corky bark. However, it should not be confused with the real cork oak, Q.

Five genera are native to North America, including the chinquapin (Chrysolepis), tanbark oak (Lithocarpus) and the chestnut (Castanea). Cork comes from the bark of the cork oak, Quercus suber.

Asian Cork Oak [English]: Quercus variabilis
Asian Corn Poppy [English]: Roemeria refracta
Asian Corn-Poppy [English]: Roemeria refracta
Asian Cory [English]: Rama chandramara
Asian Crabgrass [English]: Digitaria bicornis ...

See also: Oak, Green, Quercus, Quercus Suber, Evergreen