Cork oak, the cork tree

View of a magnificent specimen of cork oak or Quercus suber

Image - Wikimedia / Jean Pol-GRANDMONT

The cork oak is one of the trees that we can see most in the fields and gardens of temperate climates around the world.. Its majesty is such that it provides a shade that is enjoyed as if it were a treasure.

In addition, its maintenance and care are not difficult; so if we don't have much experience with plants, or if we don't have a lot of time to dedicate to them, this tree is a very good option. Here we tell you why.

Origin and characteristics

View of the trunk of the cork oak, from which the cork is extracted

The cork oak, also known as the cork tree, short tree, palomeras acorns, hat, sofrero, suro or tornado, is an evergreen tree native to the western Mediterranean region. The most prominent Spanish cork oak forests are those of the Los Alcornocales Natural Park in Cádiz, as well as those of Extremadura, Girona (Catalonia), Espadán (Castellón), Salamanca, Ávila and Zamora.

His scientific name is Quercus suber y it is characterized by reaching a height of about 15-20 meters. It forms a very wide crown, measuring 5-6 meters, with leaves measuring 4 to 7cm in length, lobed or serrated, which are dark green on the upper surface and lighter on the underside.

Blooms in spring. Male catkins are 4 to 8 cm long and appear in groups; female flowers usually appear isolated. The fruit is an acorn 2 to 4,5cm in length that can take a year to mature.

As a curiosity, it must be said that has a life expectancy of up to 250 years.

How do you take care of yourself?

The leaves of the cork oak are of medium size and a beautiful green color

If you want to get a copy, we recommend providing the following care:

Climate

Before acquiring any plant it is important to know what climate it needs to live. This way we avoid spending money unnecessarily. In the case of the cork oak, it can live without problems in areas where the summer is very hot (up to 40ºC) as long as the temperature drops below 0º in winter and have plenty of water.

Location

So that it can have excellent development and growth it must be placed outside, in full sun. It can also be in semi-shade, but it must have more light than shade.

Moreover, it must be planted away from soils, pipes and others since it is a large tree that needs a lot of space. Ideally, it should be at a minimum distance of 7 meters from the aforementioned.

Irrigation

During the summer you have to water very often, every 2-3 days; the rest of the year, once a week will suffice.

Earth

  • Garden: slightly acidic (pH 5 to 6), rich in organic matter.
  • Flower pot: It is not a plant to have in a pot, but during its first years of life it can be grown there. The substrate can be the universal one that they sell for example here.

Subscriber

From spring to summer must be paid with organic fertilizers, such as guano (you can buy it here). It will be enough to put a layer of about 2-5cm (it will depend on the youth of the specimen and its size) around the trunk.

Planting or transplanting time

In spring, when the risk of frost has passed. In the case of having it in a pot, it will have to be transplanted every two years and planted in the garden as soon as possible (when it has a minimum height of 30-40cm).

Multiplication

View of the cork oak fruit

The cork oak is multiplied by seeds, which have to be stratified in the refrigerator for three months and then sown in pots. The way to proceed is as follows:

Stratification

  1. First a tupperware is filled with vermiculite (you can buy it here) moistened with water.
  2. Second, the seeds are buried so that they are covered by vermiculite.
  3. Third, powdered sulfur is sprinkled to prevent fungus and sprayed with water.
  4. Fourth, it is put in the fridge (not the freezer).
  5. Fifth, once a week the lid must be opened to renew the air and, incidentally, to check that the vermiculite does not run out of moisture.

Siembra

  1. After three months, a seedbed (pot, glasses of yogurt, milk containers, ...) that has holes for drainage must be filled with universal culture substrate.
  2. The seeds are then placed on the surface and covered with substrate. In this step it is important to avoid putting many joints since otherwise we could have problems later. To get an idea of ​​how many fit, you should know that you should not put more than three if the seedbed is about 10-15cm in diameter.
  3. Next, sprinkle with copper or sulfur.
  4. Finally, it is watered.

If everything goes fine, in 1-2 months they will germinate the first.

Rusticity

Resists cold and frost up to -12ºC.

Can it be worked as bonsai?

Yes, of course. It is a tree that, although it has a slow growth, its leaves are the perfect size to be used as bonsai. The care that must be provided are:

  • Location: full sun.
  • Substratum: 100% akadama (you can buy it here) mixed with 30% kiryuzuna (you can buy it for here).
  • Subscriber: from spring to late summer with a specific fertilizer for bonsai, following the instructions specified on the package (you can buy it here).
  • Styles- Fits well with the formal upright as well as the forest style.
  • Pruning: late winter or autumn. Branches that grow too large must be cut, as well as those that intersect and those that grow forward (towards us).
  • Transplant: every 2-3 years, in spring.

What uses does it have?

The cork oak has very practical uses

Ornamental

It is a tree with a high ornamental value. Its bearing, its majesty, the astonishing shade it casts ... it is wonderful. A feast for the eyes, and also a perfect excuse to enjoy the great outdoors.

Others

  • Cork: is its main use. The cork that is extracted from the trunk is used to make from stoppers to fabrics.
  • Wood: used to make tools.

As we have seen, the cork oak is a tree that has several very interesting qualities that cannot be ignored. And that is not to say that it is not one of those complicated plants that give headaches, no. Having a Quercus suber in the field or as a bonsai is more than enough reason to be happy, because it will also not take much time.

And you, what did you think?


7 comments, leave yours

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  1.   Rafael Sanchez from Miami said

    Thanks for your advice, I'm sure I'll be back here.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Thanks to you, Rafael. All the best!

  2.   Andrés said

    A very complete article and many things that I did not know, I am a fan of the cork fashion but I had never stopped to read more about this material.
    Congratulations and best regards

  3.   Isabel said

    I live in Badajoz, in the middle of the pasture, and every spring so many acorns sprout naturally from the cork oaks that I have no choice but to uproot them so that they do not steal the space and nutrients from the other plants that I have planted. Naturally I am letting some grow protecting them, as a replacement for the future because the Ceranvix plague, unfortunately, is causing such havoc in this area that as an effective cure is not soon found, in not many years, both the cork oaks and the holm oaks, victims of the dry, they will disappear without remedy.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello isbael.

      Yes, you do well to leave some. It is necessary to look as much as possible to preserve the native flora, although taking into account the changes that are taking place. It is inevitable that sooner or later the most drought-resistant plants will replace those that need more water; but of course, better if these are native species.

      Regards!

  4.   Victor Fuentes-Lopez said

    Good afternoon, I am concerned about having a Cork Oak where I can buy acorns to plant one, thanks

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Victor.
      You can buy an apricot in a greengrocer, and sow the stone (the seed).
      Regards!