Cork is the bark of the cork oak tree (Querus Suber) which grows in the western Mediterranean basin. These trees require a great deal of sun and an unusual combination of low rainfall and high humidity. The cork is formed from layers of extremely strong flexible cell walls that are waterproof and airtight. These cell walls remain attached to the tree after dying. The cork tree evolved this bark to provide protection against droughts, brush fires, temperature fluctuations, and other environmental conditions. This means the species is well adapted to the mediterranean climate and can survive the frequent forest fires. During a fire, the thick cork layer protects the most sensitive interior tissues of the tree in such a way that the tree does not die and shoots out again later.

The cork tree has a life span of 300-400 years. The trees must be approximately fifty years of age before they can produce cork of a quality suitable for use in consumer goods, i.e. wine stoppers, flooring. Once ready for harvest, which occurs during the months of June, July and August, workers strip he bark off the tree using long-handled hatchets. Oblong sections of bark are pried off the tree using the wedge –shaped handle of the hatchet. Extreme care is taken during this process not to bruise the inner layer of cork bark so the tree will continue to produce cork.

Cork forest are treasured and very carefully managed. Most producing nations regulate how frequently cork can be harvested to minimize damage to the trees, once every 9-10 years. Portugal, which supplies the majority of the world’s cork, has been particularly prudent with this resource, with regulations protecting cork trees dating back to 1320. The 1920’s and 30’s, it became illegal to cut down the trees other than essential thinning and removal old non-producing trees.

The largest producing country is Portugal with 30%, followed by other mediterranean countries such as Algeria 21%, Spain 20%, Morocco 16%, France 5%, Italy 4% and Tunisia 4%.