Cork oak

The cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is a dicotyledonous plant of the Fagaceae family, which together with the olive are considered the most valuable trees of the Mediterranean basin, often called “golden” trees. Its gold bearing is due to its bark with its unique insulating properties, elasticity and light weight. It is a photophilous , heat-loving species, adapted to the Mediterranean climate, resistant to fires and thrives in feverish soils, while avoiding clay and those based on limestone rocks. It is a diverse species, which begins to flower at the age of 15-20 years and appears with many varieties in the leaves and fruits. The main factors affecting the spread of the species are temperature and rainfall. The main product of the cork oak is cork, produced from the outer bark, which grows to a great thickness and is periodically removed, reproducing from the tree.