Cork Oak Can Regrow Its Harvested Bark

Cork comes from the exceptionally thick outer bark of Cork Oak—not from its wood. When carefully removed without damaging the living inner tissues, the tree grows a new cork layer that can be harvested again approximately every 9–12 years.

Surprising takeaway: A mature Cork Oak can supply multiple bark harvests while remaining alive and growing. Kew reports that a tree may be harvested around twelve times during its lifetime.