Plant Name:  Cork Oak Tree

Botanical Name:  Quercus suber

Origin: Native to western Mediterranean and North Africa

Height/Physical Description:  Evergreen tree that grows 30 to 60 feet tall and wide, the trunk is covered with attractive, thick, corky bark; has toothed, oval leaves that are shiny dark green on top and gray underneath.

Special Attributes:  Attractive tree whose light textured canopy contrasts beautifully with its rough corky trunk (this is the tree used for commercial cork).  It produces egg-shaped, ¾ to 1½ inch long acorns. Great choice for the desert due to low water need once established.

Purchasing:  Private nurseries and online.

Planting Requirements: Needs good drainage and is tolerant of all soils except highly alkaline soil.  Plant in Fall or Winter to allow tree to get established.  

Watering:  Young trees require a moderate amount of water until established especially between the months of March through May to support the tree’s new growth, however, this tree does not like too much water.  Do not water next to the base of the tree as this could result in root diseases.  Water only over the outer third of the root system to encourage roots to grow outward.  

Fertilizing:  Compost can be added but away from the base of the tree.

Harvesting:  Acorns form and can be harvested in the Fall.

Pruning:  Periodic grooming may be required to remove dead or cross branches.  Prune trees only when they are dormant.  For deciduous trees, prune when leaves have completely dropped off; for evergreens, prune during the dry season (mid to late Summer) to avoid mildew and fungal diseases.

Pest:  Oak moths, galls, mites.  

Diseases:  The following are common diseases that occur in all oak trees:  oak root fungus (Armillaria mellea) and sudden oak death (phytophthora ramorum).  

Additional Information:  Great tree for the desert.  Sunset zones 18-24.