Quercus suber is an evergreen tree that can live for over 200 years and reach an average height of 10 to 20 meters, with century-old specimens exceeding 25 meters under optimal conditions. Its broad, rounded, and dense crown provides shade and a natural refuge for wildlife. Thanks to these characteristics, the cork oak is ideal for landscaping gardens, parks, tree-lined avenues, and reforestation projects.

The bark, thick, rough, and spongy, with a gray-brown color, contains tissues rich in suberin, a waxy substance that makes it waterproof, elastic, and resistant to temperature fluctuations. This feature makes Quercus suber valuable for the periodic harvesting of bark to produce cork.

The leaves are small, oval, and leathery, dark green and glossy on the upper side, with a lighter grayish hue underneath, covered with a fine hair that helps retain moisture. Between April and May, the tree produces flowers: male flowers develop in hanging yellow catkins, while female flowers grow singly or in small groups and, once pollinated, produce acorns that mature between September and October.

Quercus suber thrives in a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot, sunny summers. Once mature, it tolerates long periods of drought, but young plants require regular watering to establish properly. It prefers light, sandy, well-drained soils, while also tolerating poor and infertile soils. The species withstands sea winds well, making it suitable for coastal gardens and parks, and tolerates temperatures down to approximately -8°C. This species captures large amounts of CO₂ and supports biodiversity.

→ Discover Quercus ilex, an evergreen quercus species that differs from Quercus suber with smaller, leathery leaves and a more compact form, making it ideal for Mediterranean gardens and green barriers.