World Plants

Quercus suber (Cork Oak, Chêne-liège (French), Durier (French), Corcier (French), Sioure (French), Alcornoque (Spanish))

Michael's Opinion

The cork oak is a very unique and intriguing tree. It can be very hard to grow in areas such as North America because of its native habitat. The unique bark and interesting leaves make it a very good aesthetically pleasing tree. The harsh conditions it grows in make it a hardy plant that is not very prone to pests and diseases.

Botanical Information

Family	Fagaceae
Genus	Quercus
Species	suber
Category	Woody
Type	Tree (evergreen)
Origin	Southern Europe and North Africa.
Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer	Sheets of the cork bark are harvested typically for wine corks, but also for a multitude of other uses. The harvest is quite sustainable as only a certain amount is harvested from each tree on a rotational basis. Some trees in Europe have been in continuos harvest for several hundred years.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone	8 - 10
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone	7b
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Zone	H5 - H2
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)	(-9) - 4
Temperature (°F)	15 - 40
Height	15 - 20 m
Spread	15 - 20 m
Growth	Slow
Flowering Period	April, May

Description and Growing Information

General Description	A slow growing tree reaching a height of between 15 - 20 m. It is a good shade tree, drought tolerant, and prefers well-drained soils. This species has been placed on the IUCN Red List as least concern.
Shape	Medium-sized trees with large globes or rounded shaped canopy. Quercus suber has dense foliage, making it an excellent shade tree.
Landscape	Quercus suber is grown in large quantities for its bark; it is used principally to make wine corks. It is also used as a shade tree and street tree. The cork oak provides habitat to the endangered feline species called the Liberian Lynx.
Cultivation	Thrives in dry sandy soils that are well-drained and in full sun.
Pests	Quercus suber is mainly affected by scale and caterpillars. Some common disease problems include oak leaf blisters, oak leaf wilt, anthracnose and powdery mildew.
Notable Specimens	A specimen of the Quercus suber can be found in the Mediterranean Garden of The Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
Bark/Stem Description	An uneven and unrefined cork in various shades of brown and tan colours, depending mostly on the layer of cork that is exposed.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description	Brown, medium-sized, oblong shaped and slightly pointed at the apex.
Leaf Description	Smaller leaves than typical oak trees, which are only 4 - 7 cm in length. They emerge as dark green colour, adaxial, progressing to a lighter shade of green abaxial. Leaves are weakly serrated and lobed, with the edges hanging slightly downwards.
Flower Description	Female flowers are in tight clusters, and the male flowers are longer shoots with green-yellow catkins. Cork oak flowers in early spring.
Fruit Description	Acorns are 2.5 - 5 cm long and oblong-shaped.