Cork is a material that grows as the bark of the Cork Oak tree. This remarkable tree has a bark which is unique throughout the plant kingdom. The cork bark can be 'stripped' off allowing new bark to grow in its place without killing or damaging the trees. This makes every tree a renewable source of raw material. The cork is harvested from each tree time after time. The first stripping of the cork bark occurs approximately 20 years after a sapling is planted. After each stripping the cork tree fully regenerates its precious
bark and is harvested over and over again every 9 to 10 years until the tree is approximately 200 years old. At that time the aged tree is removed and two new saplings are planted in its place, ensuring the cork forest continues to flourish and expand.