ABOUT CORK
Cork Oak (Quercus suber) is a medium sized Evergreen tree.
Cork oaks live about 150 to 250 years. Virgin cork (or 'male' cork) is the first cork cut from generally 25-year-old trees. Another 9 to 12 years is required for the second harvest, and a tree can be harvested about twelve times in its lifetime. Cork harvesting is done entirely without machinery, being dependent solely on human labor. Usually five people are required to harvest the tree's bark, using a small axe. The process requires training due to the skill required to harvest bark without harming the tree.
***Portugal, which is home to the largest collection of cork oak trees, is also the world leader in cork production. Cork oak is also found through southwestern Europe and into northwestern Africa in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.
Threats:
The cork oak faces many threats such as fire, deforestation, agricultural expansion, disease and climate change. Another threat: increased demand for alternative wine stoppers. As the market for cork decreases, fewer cork oak landscapes will be conserved and the species will be placed at greater risk. The cork forests are also home to endangered species; it is imperative that these forests are sustained for the survival of the Eco-system!
Significance to Humans:
Though it is lightweight and elastic, cork remains impermeable to gases and liquids. Cork oak also provides its ecosystem with several benefits. The trees help prevent soil erosion from wind and water, and increase the absorption rate of rainfall. The cork oak forests of the Mediterranean act as a barrier to the advancing process of desertification from North Africa. A harvested cork oak tree stores up to five times more carbon than an unharvested tree, since the tree utilizes additional carbon in the regeneration of its bark.
Each year, cork oak forests account for 10 million tons of CO2 absorption.
***High quality cork required for our accessories, one must wait between 35 - 40 years, any cork harvested before this will be utilized for industrial items.
Cork oaks live about 150 to 250 years. Virgin cork (or 'male' cork) is the first cork cut from generally 25-year-old trees. Another 9 to 12 years is required for the second harvest, and a tree can be harvested about twelve times in its lifetime. Cork harvesting is done entirely without machinery, being dependent solely on human labor. Usually five people are required to harvest the tree's bark, using a small axe. The process requires training due to the skill required to harvest bark without harming the tree.
***Portugal, which is home to the largest collection of cork oak trees, is also the world leader in cork production. Cork oak is also found through southwestern Europe and into northwestern Africa in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.
Threats:
The cork oak faces many threats such as fire, deforestation, agricultural expansion, disease and climate change. Another threat: increased demand for alternative wine stoppers. As the market for cork decreases, fewer cork oak landscapes will be conserved and the species will be placed at greater risk. The cork forests are also home to endangered species; it is imperative that these forests are sustained for the survival of the Eco-system!
Significance to Humans:
Though it is lightweight and elastic, cork remains impermeable to gases and liquids. Cork oak also provides its ecosystem with several benefits. The trees help prevent soil erosion from wind and water, and increase the absorption rate of rainfall. The cork oak forests of the Mediterranean act as a barrier to the advancing process of desertification from North Africa. A harvested cork oak tree stores up to five times more carbon than an unharvested tree, since the tree utilizes additional carbon in the regeneration of its bark.
Each year, cork oak forests account for 10 million tons of CO2 absorption.
***High quality cork required for our accessories, one must wait between 35 - 40 years, any cork harvested before this will be utilized for industrial items.
