Cork Oak

The Cork Oak is a medium-sized evergreen oak tree native to southwest Europe and northwest Africa. It is best known for its thick, spongy, and fire-resistant bark, which is harvested commercially as cork for wine stoppers and various insulating materials. The tree typically grows to moderate heights with a spreading, leafy canopy featuring leathery, dark green leaves. It plays an ecologically vital role in Mediterranean oak woodland ecosystems, providing habitat for numerous endangered species and supporting sustainable rural economies through traditional bark harvesting cycles that do not harm the living tree.