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tillandsia Journal

CORK: A NATURAL RENEWABLE PRODUCT

4/7/2017

4 Comments

 
Picture
Cork has been used for mounting orchids and bromeliads for years. Tillandsia airplants grow best when attached to cork bark. The uneven surface is perfect for finding just the right spot to attach them to. They will quickly root and become permanent. ​
​
I just returned from tens days in Portugal and spent several days in Alentejo, walking in some old cork oak forests. ​Alentejo is in south central Portugal and is where the majority of the cork trees are farmed. 

Picture
Most of the farms have been operated by the same owners for many generations. They tend to stay in the family, as it takes 43 years for the first viable crop of cork to be harvested.

Once the tree is planted, the first harvest is twenty five years later. This first harvest is the “virgin cork”, the same type that is used for mounting plants. The bark is thick, rough and uneven. The bark is then harvested every nine years. The second harvest is less rough, but not acceptable for cork stoppers. This harvest is ground up and used for other production such as flooring. It is not until the third harvest, (the tree is now 43 years old) that the cork quality is the type that can be used for making cork stoppers.


Other Cork Facts:
  • The Greeks were the first to discover that cork could be harvested and would regrow a finer quality of cork. 
  • Portugal produces 55% of the world’s cork production.
  • Mature Cork trees (Quercus suber) can reach a height of 75' tall and will live for 150-200 years.
  • The average harvest will produce cork stoppers for 4000 bottles.
  • The oldest tree, The Whistler (named for the numerous songbirds that occupy it’s canopy) is estimated to be 230 years old. When harvested in 2000, it produced enough cork for 100,000 bottles.
  • Once the cork is harvested, it is dried for several months, then boiled and steamed to kill any insects or pests and to make it more pliable.
  • Cork oak trees store carbon to regenerate their bark. Trees that have been harvested will store five times more carbon.
Recently harvested
The number represents the year of the harvest, 2009 & 2015
Ready to be processed into corks
Cork Stoppers are punched
The left over cork is ground up for other uses
Final quality control
4 Comments
M J Comfort
7/8/2020 08:47:55 pm

I lived in Morocco (Marco) 2 years, under US Navy auspices., my husband was stationed there, 1969-1971. They also have cork plantations. I now know why the trees looked so awful. I brought a piece of cork about 12” x 12”, but seem to have lost it over the years since. I can see how tillandsias would survive very well on a slab of it. I just received two tillandsias tonight, they are beautiful. I have so many already, I really did not need anymore, I am delighted I succumbed to my desire. Loved your story of the history of these cork forest, was very interesting. Thank you. M J Comfort

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Janelle link
12/14/2020 06:04:30 pm

Hello mate nice postt

Reply
Tree Service link
5/15/2023 10:38:18 pm

Vey nice post! Very interesting to read.

Reply
Painting Regina link
9/6/2024 11:08:07 pm

I have to voice my passion for your kindness giving support to those people that should have guidance on this important matter.

Reply



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    Pamela Koide HyattPamela Koide Hyatt
    Horticulturalist & Explorer Specializing in the Genus Tillandsia.

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Photos from cm195902, ggallice