Cork oak - Quercus suber

The bark of the cork oak, Quercus suber, is the primary source of cork for wine bottle stoppers and cork flooring. These trees are very drought tolerant, which makes them desirable for warm climates such as Santa Clara County. They are native to the Mediterranean region and can easily grow to 100 or 200 years old.

Carlisle Way across from Lillian Ave, Sunnyvale, CA right next to the edge of Panama Park. The fence behind this tree is for the Sprint cell phone tower (which is designed to look like atlas cedar).



Below is a close-up of the bark which gives the cork oak its namesake. This photograph does not give a good idea of the scale of bark. You really need to search out a real cork oak and see the bark for yourself.

Where to find them: Cork oak trees are common in Sunnyvale, especially along W. Remington Dr between S. Mary and Hollenbeck, Finch Way (north of Inverness), and Duncardine Way.


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