General: The cork oak is native to southern Europe and North Africa and grows here as an evergreen tree with a height of up to 20 meters. The first branches are often low and a rounded, often picturesque crown develops. The leaves are 3 - 6 cm in size, oval, toothed and leathery. The bark is greyish and the characteristic, longitudinally cracked cork strips form early on. In Portugal and Spain, cork oaks are specifically cultivated for the production of cork.
Care as a bonsai: Cork oaks are very popular for bonsai design due to their evergreen small leaves and imposing bark. Specimens collected in nature, in particular, can be made into very expressive bonsai. But also smaller specimens form the typical cork bark early on and quickly acquire a particularly natural character. The cork oaks are robust, cut compatible and, as bonsai, are very easy to care for. The plants form good, fine branching and the relatively small leaves can be used to form defined leaf cushions. Cork oaks need a lot of light and do not like waterlogged floors. Depending on the possibility, the cork oak can also stand outdoors in summer. Otherwise it should be placed in the brightest possible place in the house. Cork oaks are not frost hardy and are optimally overwintered in a cool and bright way.
