How is cork harvested in Portugal?

Portugal has the largest cork oak forest by area in the world. While it takes around 15 years for a cork oak tree to grow its first layer of cork, it is harvested in cycles of nine years. He explained that he and other workers harvest the cork during the summer with axes.

Why does Portugal produce so much cork?

Soundproofing products. Cork’s cellular structure means it’s good for insulation and soundproofing, which is why so much cork is sold to the construction industry.

How often can cork be harvested?

every 9 years
Cork oak trees can be harvested for the first time for cork bark after about 25 years. Thereafter, the tree bark is harvested every 9 years. A cork tree will be “stripped,” on average, sixteen times in its 150 to 200 life.

Where is cork produced in Portugal?

The best quality cork is obtained from the province of Algarve and some parts of Alentejo that produced in the north of the country usually being inferior.

Is cork harvesting sustainable?

“Unlike its synthetic counterparts, cork is an inherently sustainable resource, both renewable and biodegradable. The cork oak tree (Quercus suber) is unique in that its thick bark can be stripped off every decade to extract the cork without damaging the trees, which can live 170 to 250 years on average.”

Where are cork trees harvested?

Cork oak is found through southwestern Europe and into northwestern Africa in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. Portugal, which is home to the largest collection of cork oak trees, is also the world leader in cork production.

Where do you harvest cork?

Cork oaks are harvested every nine years, once they reach maturity. It doesn’t harm the tree, and the cork bark regrows. Most cork forests are in Portugal and Spain. The year of harvest is marked on the trunk, so each tree isn’t harvested at the wrong time.

How much cork is produced in Portugal?

Portugal is a major cork-grower; in fact, nearly one-third of the total cork oak area, estimated at 2,150,000 hectares (5.3 million acres) is in Portugal, which produces approximately half the cork harvested annually in the world (about 310,000 tons).

What country is the biggest supplier of cork?

Portugal
What are the top three cork-producing countries?