Cork Oak Trees – Quercus Suber

£2.79£779.79

Quercus suber, commonly known as the Cork Oak, is a native of southwest Europe and northwest Africa. While not indigenous to the British Isles, this unique oak has found its niche in many English gardens due to its extraordinary features and adaptability.

Quercus suber, commonly known as the Cork Oak, is a native of southwest Europe and northwest Africa. While not indigenous to the British Isles, this unique oak has found its niche in many English gardens due to its extraordinary features and adaptability.

The Cork Oak is a medium-sized, evergreen tree that typically grows to a height of 10-20 meters, with a crown that can spread just as wide. In some favourable conditions, it can grow even taller. It has a singular aesthetic appeal, owing largely to its distinctive, spongy bark. This is the cork of commerce, harvested every 9-12 years without harming the tree, and used in everything from wine stoppers to flooring and insulation.

The leaves of the Cork Oak are leathery and dark green on top with a paler underside, resembling holly leaves with their slightly serrated edges. They retain their vibrant green throughout the year, making the Cork Oak an excellent choice for year-round interest in a garden setting.

The Cork Oak exhibits a moderate growth rate, with young trees growing approximately 30-40 cm per year. It usually reaches maturity around 20 years but can live for up to 200 years or more, with some individuals in their native range reported to live up to 250-350 years.

Cork Oaks are monoecious and bear both male and female flowers on the same tree. The male flowers are yellow-green catkins, while the female flowers are less conspicuous and grow near the leaf axils. They bloom in spring and are pollinated by the wind, leading to the development of the tree’s fruit: the acorn. These acorns are about 2-3 cm long and are held in a rough, warty cup. They fall in autumn and serve as an important food source for various wildlife.

In comparison to other trees found in England, the Cork Oak stands out due to its evergreen nature and unique, spongy bark. This makes it an excellent choice for adding interest to the garden throughout the year and for its practical applications. It’s more resistant to fire than most trees due to the insulating properties of its cork bark – a significant advantage in areas prone to wildfires.

The Cork Oak is well-suited to British garden designs for several reasons. Its resilience to drought and wind makes it an excellent choice for difficult planting sites, while its broad, spreading form offers substantial shade during the hotter months. Its year-round foliage provides a constant green backdrop in the garden, and the unique texture of the cork bark adds an interesting architectural element.

From a wildlife perspective, the Cork Oak is a boon. Its acorns are a valuable food source for a variety of birds and mammals, including jays, pigeons, and squirrels. The dense canopy provides shelter for various bird species, while the thick, corky bark provides a habitat for many insects.

Moreover, the Cork Oak is a significant tree from an environmental and economic perspective. The process of harvesting cork does not require cutting down the tree, making it a sustainable resource. These trees also sequester a significant amount of carbon, especially during the cork regeneration process after harvest, contributing to the fight against climate change.

To sum up, Quercus suber, the Cork Oak, is a fascinating and valuable tree. With its attractive features, adaptability, and the wide array of benefits it offers, it is undoubtedly a worthy addition to the British landscape.

Style

Full Standard, Boxhead, Feathered, Multi Stem, Pleached, Half Standard Pleached, Umbrella, Half Standard, Espalier, Mini Standard, Ball, Cone, Spiral, Cube, Cloud Form, Cube Spiral, Cube Multiball, Cube Ball Cone, Pom-pom, Lollipop, Archway, Twisted Stem, Triple Lollipop, Multiball 2, Multiball 3, Dome, Cylinder, Pyramid, Cylindrical Dome, Twisted Stem, Unique, Bonsai, Instant Hedge, Instant Screen, Hedging Plants, Young Tree

Root Type

Pot Grown, Rootball, Bare Root

Height

15-30cm, 30-50cm, 50-70cm, 70-90cm, 90-110cm, 110-130cm, 130-150cm, 150-170cm, 170-200cm, 200-230cm, 230-250cm, 250-270cm, 270-300cm, 300-350cm, 350-400cm, 400-450cm, 450-500cm, 500-600cm, 600-700cm, 700-800cm, 10-20cm, 20-30cm, 30-40cm, 40-50cm, 50-60cm, 60-70cm, 70-80cm, 80-90cm, 90-100cm, 100-110cm, 110-120cm, 120-130cm, 130-140cm, 140-150cm

Stem Girth

4-6cm, 6-8cm, 8-10cm, 10-12cm, 12-14cm, 14-16cm, 16-18cm, 18-20cm, 20-22cm, 22-24cm, 24-26cm, 26-28cm, 28-30cm, 30-35cm, 35-40cm, 40-45cm, 45-50cm, 50-60cm, 60-70cm, N/A, 20-25cm, 25-30cm

Foliage Type

Evergreen

Origin

Not Native

Water Requirement

Moderate Watering

Growth Height

Tall Growing

Growth Speed

Slow Growing

Costal Growing

Yes

Conifer?

No

Flowering?

No

Colourful Foliage?

0

Drought Tolorant?

0

Hard Wood Cutbacks?

0

Produces Nuts

0

BUY MORE TO SAVE MORE!

Use any of the codes below at checkout to save on your plants.

Use Code: LARGE5 to get 5% off when you spend £500.

Use Code: LARGE7.5 to get 7.5% off when you spend £1000.

Use Code: LARGE10 to get 10% off when you spend £2000.

Use Code: LARGE15 to get 15% off when you spend £5000.

STANDARD DELIVERY TYPES

Box/Parcel – Used for plants sized 0-70cm, costs £12. Order £100 worth of plants of that size to qualify for free delivery! Parcel deliveries are always sent for next day delivery unless otherwise specified.

Pallet – Used for plants sized 71-230cm, costs £60. Order £350 worth of plants to qualify for free pallet delivery! We always send our pallets for next day delivery, unless requested otherwise.

Private Van – Used for plants sized 231cm and taller, costs £60. Order £350 worth to get free private van delivery!

In all cases you can request a private van delivery, where your plants are delivered by us. Upon your request we can re-evaluate your delivery fee and let you know of the delivery time.

Please note, for pallet and box deliveries we use third party companies to deliver the goods. Not often, but occasionally some delays may happen due to unforeseen circumstances, which are out of our control. For this reason, we ask you to never book gardeners, contractors, or other industry professionals for the estimated delivery date. Please do not book days off work or cancel other commitments specifically for your plant delivery to avoid disappointment.

Not home? No problem!

If you are not home at the time of your delivery, don’t worry! With your permission, we will instruct our trusted couriers to leave your plants in a safe place. If you have any requirements, or a preferred safe place for your plant delivery, please ensure to leave us a note along with your order, or simply give us a call.

Specialized Delivery

If you have any special requirements regarding your delivery, please add it to your order notes or call us on 01603 327269. Always include any delivery restrictions into your order note so appropriate vehicles and good carriers can be used to deliver your plants.

Please note that we currently are unable to deliver to Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland due to Brexit rules and regulations.

For more delivery information refer to our terms and conditions here.

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