The cork oak prefers a sunny position and is adapted to a wide range of climates. It can tolerate extreme heat and is hardy to about -15°C. It thrives in both coastal and Mediterranean climates, as well as in areas with a central-western Mediterranean climate. It can grow at varying altitudes and is found in regions with diverse elevations.
Cork oak
The Quercus suber, commonly known as the cork oak, is a slow-growing evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean region and the Atlantic coast of Africa. It can reach heights of up to 20 meters and has a wide spread. This tree thrives in poor, sandy soils, requires good drainage, and is highly drought-tolerant. It is renowned for its commercial cork production and the acorns it produces, which are used as a food source for both humans and livestock.
Quercus suber
Portugal
Additional Information: - The cork oak (Quercus suber) is an important tree native to the central western Mediterranean region and the Atlantic coast of Africa. It is known for its slow growth and evergreen nature. - The growth rate and size of the cork oak depend on factors such as soil depth and moisture. It prefers deep, well-drained soil and can thrive in poor, acidic, and sandy soils. It is also drought-tolerant and can withstand extreme heat. - The cork oak is hardy to about -15°C and is best planted where it is intended to grow, as it develops a long tap root before germinating above the ground. - Acorns from the cork oak have been used as a source of food for humans during droughts and are highly regarded as stock feed. They are usually roasted for human consumption. - Commercial cork, which is the outer bark of the cork oak, is harvested in sheets after approximately 20 years and on a 10-year cycle for many centuries. The highest-quality cork is said to come from dry and rocky soils. - The cork oak's timber qualities are not highly regarded, although the wood can be used to produce high-grade charcoal. Note: This additional information provides insights into the cork oak's characteristics, uses, and cultivation practices beyond what is mentioned in the description.
This tree prefers a deep soil with good drainage. It thrives in poor, acid, and sandy soils and is drought tolerant.
A native of the central western Mediterranean region and the Atlantic coast of Africa, this fairly slow growing evergreen attains heights of up to 20 m and is often as wide. The growth rate and size attained depends largely on soil depth and moisture. It prefers a deep soil but needs good drainage. It requires a sunny position and thrives in poor, acid and sandy soils and is drought tolerant. It is hardy to about - 15oC and tolerates extreme heat. It is best planted where it is to grow as it forms a long tap root (as much as a metre, before showing any signs above the ground of having germinated). This is necessary, if the tree is to be drought resistant. Acorns should never dry out before planting into damp soil. It may be necessary to keep acorns in damp peat under refrigeration until the soil is damp.
The acorn was used as a source of drought food for humans and is highly acclaimed as a stock feed. Acorns are usually roasted for human consumption. One tree in Portugal had a spread of 13 m and yielded some 840 litres of acorns in a single season, enough to feed a pig for 120 days and raise its live weight by 59 kg.
Commercial cork (the outer bark of Q, suber) is harvested in sheets, after about year 20, on a 10 year cycle, for hundreds of years. The average crop of cork in Portugal is around 240 kg/ha/yr (there is the annual pork harvest as well). The highest quality cork is said to come from the dry, rocky soils. The timber qualities of this tree are not highly regarded although the wood does produce a high grade charcoal.