JBCLM | 2010-2025
33. Luso-Extremaduran Cork Oak Woodland
Cork oaks are common trees in Mediterranean forests on acidic soil.
In humid and warm siliceous environments, cork oaks (Quercus suber) replace holm oaks. Their floristic composition includes most species found in both Luso-Extremaduran holm oak woodlands and the Mediterranean maquis.
The cork oak is closely linked to the siliceous regions of the Iberian Peninsula and occurs in temperate, humid Mediterranean forests, where it replaces holm oak under less continental conditions and on acid soils. Its socioeconomic importance lies chiefly in its thick suberose bark, from which cork is obtained—an essential insulating material used for bottle stoppers, sheets, and various types of insulation. The bark is harvested manually every 9 to 15 years. In Castilla–La Mancha, cork extraction is legally permitted between June 1 and September 1, mainly in Ciudad Real and Toledo, with minor production in southwestern Albacete. Bark removal weakens the tree, which must regenerate the suberose layer. Much of the cork oak’s fire resistance is due to this thick fireproof bark, allowing the tree to survive wildfires.
In the recreated cork oak woodland, the cork oak is accompanied by shrubs such as wild olive (Olea europaea var. sylvestris), strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), and Teucrium fruticans, among others.
