Quercus suber, commonly called the cork oak, is a medium-sized, evergreen oak tree in the section Quercus sect. Cerris. It is the primary source of cork for wine bottle stoppers. It is native to southwest Europe and northwest Africa.
Quercus suber, commonly called cork oak, is a medium sized evergreen oak that is native to the central and western Mediterranean region. Bark from this oak is commercially harvested and processed to produce a variety of products including wine bottle corks. Trees are commercially grown in plantations in several European and African countries, most notably in Portugal and Spain. Cork is usually not harvested until a tree reaches the age of at least 30-40 years. Trees typically mature to 40-70’ tall. Regardless of commercial value, this is an ornamentally attractive oak. Leathery, wavy-toothed, ovate, shiny dark green leaves (to 2-4” long) are gray-tomentose below. Thick, rough, deeply fissured, corky bark with reddish-brown furrows has a unique beauty, particularly on older trees.
