Quercus suber
cork oak
A slow-growing evergreen tree grown for its bark - this is the origin of cork - which develops into a craggy, fissured grey of great character. If some bark was to be harvested, it is brick red beneath until new bark forms.The leaves are dark glossy green above, pale and felty below. The acorns are long and slender, with less than a third held in a shaggy cup
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Cream | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Cream | |||
| Autumn | Green Cream | Brown | ||
| Winter | Green Cream |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Fagaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Genus
Quercus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs, with entire, lobed or toothed leaves; flowers inconspicuous, followed by characteristic acorns; sometimes good autumn colour
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- W Mediterranean
How to grow
Cultivation
Suited to large gardens and parkland. Grow in any well-drained but moisture-retentive soil in good light. For more information see tree cultivation.
Propagation
Propagate by seed soon after it drops or by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to oak processionary moth, aphids, caterpillars, leaf-mining moths and oak gall wasps
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews and honey fungus
Get involved
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