Probably the one thing I love the most about Spain and Portugal is the countryside – and the Cork Oak fields. Thousands and thousands of acres of trees stud the semi- wild fields and all of them have the tell- tale marks of cork stripping. They’re semi-nude up to around 2.5m high and have trunks of varying colours depending upon which year their cork was harvested. Pinky/red hued trunks = newly harvested – over the years the trunks gradually go grey and then black.
The Oaks cover the countryside and the wide canopied trees look so beautiful. It’s such a pleasure to see land that isn’t completely just grass and it looks so completely natural. I never get tired of driving through it.
Prior to writing this blog I did a bit of research – as you do…. never want to get facts wrong, and I came across this terrific article that you should check out. It has a wealth of really interesting info. On the Cork Oak, history, the industry, how it’s harvested and grown, the value of cork and the varied uses for it – apart from corks for wine bottles!
Phil and I have both purchased beautiful cork wallets and if I get the chance to go shopping again… a pair of cork sneakers and a belt will be coming home too!
Please click on this safe link below and find out more about this terrific tree – I found it really enlightening
www.saomarcosdaserra.com/cork.php
