Cork Oak
Quercus suber · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Southwestern Europe and Northwest Africa, primarily Portugal, Spain, and Algeria
- Hardness
- Very Soft (under 500 lbf)
- Durability
- Very Durable
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Grain Pattern
Irregular and spongy cellular matrix characteristic of thick bark rather than traditional lumber grain
Color & Appearance
Dark brown to greyish-brown exterior bark with a lighter tan or beige spongy interior layer
Hardness (Janka)
Very Soft (under 500 lbf)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- Varies widely by form, typically $5 to $15 per board foot equivalent for raw cork slabs
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated from recently harvested mature tree bark, roughly 25 to 40 years of growth for this thickness layer
- Sustainability Status
- Highly sustainable; harvesting does not kill the tree, as the bark regenerates and is stripped every 9 to 12 years
Common Uses
Wine stoppers, bulletin boards, insulation, flooring underlayment, gaskets, crafts, and fashion accessories
Geographic Origin
Southwestern Europe and Northwest Africa, primarily Portugal, Spain, and Algeria
Workability
Very easy to cut, slice, shape, and glue using simple hand tools, though it requires sharp blades to prevent tearing
Finish Recommendations
Usually left unfinished or sealed with natural oils or water-based polyurethane when used for decorative panels
Notable Features
Extremely lightweight, buoyant, fire retardant, impermeable to liquids and gases, and highly compressible with elastic memory
