Quercus suber

[sloth]

I have a cork oak to look at very soon, client wants it reduced as it has reached around 40 feet tall in a small garden. Now, in 9 years of arb I have never even seen one! Can I presume it will respond in a similar way to Quercus ilex, being evergreen?

Any thing to look out for, notable pests/diseases, tree species specific or common fungal associations?

Apparently it sheds its leaves twice a year (second hand info from their friend), that can't be right?! Maybe old ones get blown off by autumn winds, and again during blustery summer days?

anyway, any info welcome, many thanks

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

never had the privelidge of working one so cant be much help, all i can say is follow your instinct.

[burrell_]

i done one about a year ago nice looking bark i had never seen one before i just done what i normaly do, reduce to the next bud or branch

i see it about 3/4 weeks ago it was still alive and looking good

[janey]

It's got to be one of the few times you can get away with using spikes for pruning

 

And you won't have to worry about finding an OPM nest as cork oaks don't get infested.

[Graham]

Cork oaks are regularly pruned in Spain. About every 10 years between cork harvests so shouldn't be any problems.

[David Goss]

Just prune it as normal, the cork makes a horrible squeeking when you cut it with the silky but other than that just treat it as normal. When you are done you can always harvest it for the cork like this:thumbup1:

[janey]

...When you are done you can always harvest it for the cork like this:thumbup1:

 

Was that you doing the cork harvesting on your travels?

[David Goss]

Was that you doing the cork harvesting on your travels?

 

It wasnt me harvesting but the next time i go to Sardegna where this photo was taken i hope to at least go and witness the work being done and hopefully take part. My wife is Sardinian and we go there to meet the family many times each year so thats handy:thumbup1:

[sloth]

Cheers all, will see if I can get some pics