Fauna
Plant

Cork Oak

Quercus suber

Also known as Alcornoque, Sobro

Cork Oak thrives across the sunny Mediterranean basin, forming open savannahs called dehesas that support remarkable biodiversity. Its thick, spongy bark acts as an evolutionary defense against natural wildfires, insulating the living trunk while regenerating after sustainable harvests every decade. Golden-brown acorns with fringed cups mature in autumn, providing crucial winter food for wild boar, deer, and wintering birds.

EvergreenBarkMediterranean
Cork Oak reference1 / 6
(c) Kevin Faccenda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil Minerals
Predators
  • Oak Processionary Moth
  • Cynipid Gall Wasps
  • Wild Boar
ThreatsClimate change, drought, fungal diseases, habitat fragmentation
HabitatsMediterranean forests, dehesas, coastal woodlands
Life span150–250 years
Classification
  1. FamilyFagaceae
  2. SpeciesQuercus suber
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Bark Observation: Look for thick, spongy grey bark with deep vertical furrows, or vibrant orange-cinnamon inner bark on recently harvested trees.
  • Acorn Identification: Search for acorns enclosed halfway in distinctive cupules covered with loose, reflexed scales.
  • Respect Harvesters: Avoid disturbing marked trees or stripping bark yourself, as improper peeling damages the vital cambium layer.
Related species
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