Cork oak is a medium-sized evergreen tree native to the central and western Mediterranean region, prized for its thick, commercially harvested bark that produces wine bottle corks and other cork products. Hardy in zones 8-10, it thrives in full sun with moderate water and drought tolerance, reaching 40 to 70 feet tall and wide at maturity. This is a tree with a remarkable dual purpose: shade and street tree in appropriate climates, while also representing one of the world's most sustainable and economically important forest products.
Full Sun
Moderate
8-10
840in H x 840in W
—
Low
Hover over chart points for details
Cork oak's thick, corky bark is harvested commercially after trees reach 30 to 40 years of age, making it one of the few trees actively grown for the valuable material it produces. The tree is evergreen, maintains drought tolerance, and requires minimal maintenance once established in zones 8-10. Its insignificant spring flowers give way to showy fruit, while the foliage provides reliable shade in dry Mediterranean-like conditions.
Cork oak is grown as a shade tree and street tree in appropriate climates, providing reliable coverage in dry regions. More significantly, the bark is commercially harvested and processed to produce wine bottle corks, gaskets, flooring, insulation, and various other cork products used across industries globally.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
No care instructions available yet for this variety.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Cork oak is native to the central and western Mediterranean region, where it has been cultivated for centuries for its commercially valuable bark. Portugal and Spain are the primary nations where cork oak is grown in large-scale plantations today, harvesting bark from mature trees to produce cork products used globally. The practice of stripping bark from cork oaks has evolved into a refined craft, with harvesters waiting until trees reach at least 30 to 40 years of age before the first commercial harvest, ensuring the trees' longevity and continued productivity.”