Cork oak in Portugal: from tree bark to useful material

Cork can be found not only in bottle caps: it is used to make household items, accessories and building materials. This story begins in a landscape of cork oak trees.

Wood and bark

Cork oak produces thick bark that is removed from the living tree by experienced workers. The tree takes time to regenerate its bark; Proper management of groves is important for its health.

More than one product

After collection, the bark is processed and used for various products. In the workshop you can learn how the properties of a material influence its use and why careful sorting is important.

Getting to know the region

If you are visiting a grove or production facility, check in advance the season, access conditions and format of the excursion. Do not remove the bark yourself and do not damage the trees. When choosing a product, ask about the origin of the material and its care.