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The bark of the cork tree (Querus Suber) can be
harvested from the tree without injury. It takes 20 to 25 years
for the cork tree to mature. Once mature, the tree can have its
cork bark harvested every 9 years, regenerating itself with no
harm to the tree. The most predominate cork oak forests in the
world are in Spain and Portugal. The forests are also home to
a wide variety of wildlife, including species such as the Iberian
Lynx, which is the world's rarest big cat, the Iberian Eagle and
the Barbary Deer. In addition, Europe's entire crane population
winters in the Spanish and Portuguese cork oak forests.
Cork
harvesting has been a way of life in the Mediterranean for at least
1,000 years. The forests are ancient, with cork oak trees living
up to 300 years. Cork harvesting is one of the best examples of
a sustainable agro-forestry system where people use the natural
resources, without disturbing or destroying nature. Cork harvesting
can only survive as long as the demand for cork stays high.
We
are now just beginning to have the "cork fashion design market"
that lends itself to handbags, purses, wallets, belts and other
accessories. These products are wear resistant (tough as a comparable
leather) fire resistant and waterproof. Caring for and cleaning
cork goods is simple - just use soap and water!
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