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Turning Cork?

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John Plater:
I have turned quite a few pieces of cork oak obtained legally from a tree in the UK. Apparently Goodwood House in Sussex has an avenue of the things. A lot of feature in the grain of heart and sapwood and clearly marked break between the inner bark and outer bark, the actual cork. Yes, fast speed, sharp tools and light cuts were the order of the day with plenty of work with abrasive paper. Osmo oil was the finish of choice.
ATB John

BrianH:
wandering off on a slight tangent, can anyone offer an insight as to why, unlike most or all other trees, a cork oak survives having its bark removed for harvesting?
Brian

bodrighywood:
Not sure as this would kill most trees which don't regenerate the bark as the cork oak does.

Pete

John Plater:
Yes, the cork tree is able to regenerate the outer bark which is harvested as cork. The harvesting does not take the inner bark. maybe the thin bit of cork left behind is enough to protect the tree ? The inner bark is also quite substantial, I have seen inner bark up to 10mm in thickness.
ATB John

Twisted Trees:

--- Quote from: BrianH on January 12, 2021, 09:38:06 AM ---wandering off on a slight tangent, can anyone offer an insight as to why, unlike most or all other trees, a cork oak survives having its bark removed for harvesting?
Brian

--- End quote ---

The Cork is an outer bark made from the same stuff (like fingernails or hair is sort of skin) but it is dead, possibly as a fire protection layer given that they grow in places where forest fires are common. It can be harvested once a decade or so, leaving the living inner bark which like other trees must be left mostly undamaged as it forms part of the water / nutrient pumping system.

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