May 05, 2008
Harvesting the cork oak for its bark is strictly regulated, limiting such harvesting into nine-year cycles. The individual cork oaks must be at least 25 years old before they are harvested and when they are, the health of those cork oaks must be ensured.[22] Harvesting of virgin growth cork trees is outlawed until the trees reach 60 centimeters in circumference. Cork bark is still harvested from the tree in a centuries old tradition with hand tools.[26] Cork harvesting is not harmful to the tree. [27] Harvesting only occurs once every nine years and a cork oak can live for 150-200 years, so it can be safely harvested up to 20 times during its life cycle. It is a truly inexhaustible and natural resource.[19] Harvested from the cork
oak, particularly in Portugal and Spain where the species flourishes, cork flooring stands as a shining example of a renewable source in flooring. The bark of the cork oak is harvested by hand.[20]
Refence links to this information can be found at:
[19] http://www.property24.com/property24/hub/homeowners_default_full.aspx?articleid=5748
[20] http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/9-6-2006-107836.asp
[22] http://www.lycos.com/info/cork-flooring.html
[26] http://www.corkfloor.com/benefits.html
[27] http://www.doddandsouter.ca/cork.htm
