| Cork oak | ||||||||||||||
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| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Quercus suber L. |
The Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is a medium sized, evergreen oak tree native to southern Europe and north Africa.
It forms a thick rugged and corky bark. Over several years this bark can develop considerable thickness, and this is harvested as cork. The tree is widely cultivated in Spain, Portugal and Morocco for this purpose, often as individual trees providing a minor income to their owners.
The tree is also sometimes cultivated as an ornamental. It is the parent of some hybrid oaks.