Quercus suberCork oak
A Mediterranean specimen with a low, broad crown and immediate sculptural presence. Proven tolerance of drought, heat and poor acidic soils, with no regular watering after the establishment period. The cork bark offers permanent texture and a strong visual statement in projects of Iberian character.
About this species
For projects that call for immediate Iberian identity, the mature cork oak does much of the work. A low, broad, asymmetrical crown, able to organise a space without needing other volumes alongside it, and dense, continuous shade all year round. The cork bark is the central aesthetic argument: a thick, furrowed texture, sculptural at…Read moreShow less
For projects that call for immediate Iberian identity, the mature cork oak does much of the work. A low, broad, asymmetrical crown, able to organise a space without needing other volumes alongside it, and dense, continuous shade all year round.
The cork bark is the central aesthetic argument: a thick, furrowed texture, sculptural at any distance, in strong contrast with pale façades or smooth paving. It works as a single specimen, in widely spaced avenue planting or in more scenographic compositions of contemporary montado.
In performance, it is one of the most predictable species for the Atlantic and Mediterranean Iberian climate. It withstands prolonged drought, summer heat above 40 °C and dry winds, with no regular watering after the establishment period. Reliable cold hardiness down to about minus five degrees in occasional lows. Slow growth, low maintenance, and a longevity that exceeds any project cycle.
It requires acidic to neutral soil, free drainage and full sun. It is not recommended on chalky ground or in areas with seasonal waterlogging; in poorly drained soils the main risk is Phytophthora cinnamomi.
Advice on this species
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