The cork oak
A unique and resilient Mediterranean tree
The cork oak (Quercus suber L.), or "Sobreiro" in Portuguese, is a one-of-a-kind species capable of continuously producing cork, a versatile and sustainable material. This species is typical of the western Mediterranean region, growing in Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, France, and Italy. The habitat centered around cork oak, called "Montado" in Portugal, houses a great variety of species and forms the typical landscape found in the Alentejo region of Portugal. Cork oaks are considered a national heritage of Portugal and are incredibly important for the country's economy due to their capacity to produce cork.
💡Did you know?
Cork oaks are legally protected in Portugal. This protection is in place
since the Middle Ages, when cutting these trees down was first
prohibited.
Cork is the outer bark of the cork oak. This material is used in many different products, including shoes, furniture and construction materials. Nevertheless, the most famous product of the cork industry is the cork stopper, widely used to close wine bottles. More than 70% of producers choose this kind of stopper to enclose their product.
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