Technology for working with cork oak bark

"Sobreiro" (sobreiro) - this is the name of the cork oak in Portuguese - is a miracle tree and the national symbol of Portugal. Since 2011, Portugal's cork oak has been designated the National Tree of Portugal, along with symbols such as the flag and coat of arms.

Portugal is the world of cork and the leader in the production of cork products. This country accounts for most of the world's cork bark production.

Cork bark is mined wherever cork oak grows - in southwestern Europe and North Africa. But unconditional leadership (more than 50% of production) belongs to Portugal. About a third of our planet's cork forests, about 70 million trees, grow in Portugal, mainly in its southern regions of Alentejo and Algarve. Here is the ideal climate for cork oak: moderately rainy autumn, mild winters, hot and dry summers, suitable soil and altitude (400-500 meters).

The cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is a powerful evergreen, spreading tree that can regenerate its bark after being removed. The cork tree is tall - it stretches up to 20 m, the trunk reaches 1 meter in diameter. The bark of cork oak begins to gain thickness after 3-5 years, reaches its maturity in 25 years. As soon as the trunk is covered with cracks, it means it is ready for the initial cutting. First crust young oak, which is called "virgin" (cortica virgem), of low quality, its use is limited. Exercise it during sap flow, only in the summer season - from the full moon in May to mid-August. After cutting, the plant does not die, but continues to grow bark at a rate of 7–8 mm per year. Fruiting up to 150 years. To get high-quality bark, you need to wait for the second, or better - the third harvest.

When will the exposed trunk grow back with a cork and can it be removed? Only after 9-10 years! Cork oaks live about 200 years, during their woody life, oak allows you to remove the bark about 20 times. From an eighty-year-old tree, you can harvest up to 200 kg of bark per season.

The oldest cork oak grows in the Portuguese province of Alentejo. It is over 230 years old.

Specially trained people remove the bark from the oak using axes with long handles. The bark is not removed all, but only from the trunk.

As soon as the bark is removed, a number is written on the trunk - the last one in the year designation. For example: the bark was removed in 2014, which means on the trunk of an oak the number 4 was written. And the next time the bark will be removed from this tree no earlier than 2023. Wait a long time, however, thanks to the large areas with these trees, the removal of cork bark takes place every year in large quantities. Portugal produces about one hundred thousand tons of cork bark trees per year.

The cut bark is dried in warehouses. After that, it must be processed from parasites and harmful microflora. For this, the bark is soaked, evaporated. In this state, it softens and straightens well. After re-drying, the tiles are sent for cutting and further recycling.

Cork is the most environmentally friendly material today. Cork is the most durable material. High thermal insulation and the airtight properties of the natural material are so unique that it has not yet been possible to find an artificial analogue.

So where is the bark used?

Back in the days of ancient Greece and Rome, this unique material was used. The corks for the jugs were cut out of it, where the wine was stored or olive oil. The bark was used to make the soles of sandals, elements of horse harness, and cover the roofs of houses.

Now, at the present time, due to its unique sound-insulating properties, as well as low thermal conductivity, cork oak bark - a universal material for the production of various products for all industries. The widest range, from construction and industry to automotive and high-tech materials for spacecraft. Wide used in the construction industry. For example, for soundproofing in recording studios, movie theaters. For heat and sound insulation living quarters. When decorating walls and floors. In the manufacture of decorative elements and furniture, and so on. Pressed cork make life belts, tropical helmets, furniture, floor coverings, carpets and rugs, indispensable stands for hot dishes, bottle caps and all kinds of lids, floats.

In winemaking, bark is used to make bottle caps and packaging boxes. It is believed that every second wine cork is made in Portugal. Officially, it is believed that the first person who came up with the cork of a bottle of wine was the monk Don Perignon. In honor of him, they began to name one of the varieties of the drink. It happened back in 1680, since then the industry has not found a better solution, and the sealing technology has remained the same.

There is no garbage left from cork raw materials for disposal - everything goes into action. Cork oak products are clean, absolutely safe for health things. Walking through the Portuguese cities and towns, you will come across many shops selling cork products: bags, wallets, shoes, umbrellas, travel bags, cosmetic bags, pencil cases, cases for glasses, hats, caps, shoes, slippers, belts, ties, women's jewelry, covers, key rings, lampshades, dishes, boxes, fans, photo frames, postcards, soles, insoles, packing material and various souvenirs - all from cork oak bark.

It is not easy to say that the greater miracle is the ability of the cork oak to regenerate or the unique properties of its bark. The structure of the cork can be compared with honeycombs. Its cells are like waterproof "honeycomb" capsules filled, as well as the intermediate spaces, with gas, which differs from atmospheric air in that it does not contain carbon dioxide. Cork is one of the lightest solids, it is strong, elastic, resilient, can be compressed under pressure and restore its original shape, does not transmit heat, sound, liquid, gas. Bark cork oak does not sink in water, does not support combustion, does not absorb odors, and is resistant to friction.

About us.

We also did not stand aside and use the bark of cork oak processed by us in our products and souvenirs. All souvenirs that you can find on our the site is a manual work done by us personally. You will not find a single finished product bought anywhere for resale. We buy only the starting material is the bark of cork oak directly from the cutters and varnish-and-paint materials. And then gradually, process by process, we turn this natural material into those unusual souvenirs that you can buy on our website in the section "Products from the bark of cork oak". In our workshop only two people work, so the number of products is limited, many - only in one copy.

We hope that you will like our Souvenirs from Portugal and become the owner of one or more of them.