Cork oak forests cover approximately 2.5 million hectares across the Mediterranean region and most of them are located in seven countries: Portugal, Algeria, Spain, Morocco, France, Italy and Tunisia.
A typical tree produces several hundred kilograms of cork at each
harvesting and will survive for many generations. The bark is stripped
off the tree in sections by highly skilled men using special axes, a
traditional manual skill that dates back many hundreds of years.
Cork is harvested on a sustainable basis and the stripping of the bark does not harm the tree in any way. The
bark grows back completely, taking on a smoother texture after each
harvest. A cork oak tree can be safely harvested up to 20 times during
its life cycle, making cork a truly inexhaustible natural resource.
Amorim, the world leader in Cork Oak production, and Wicanders oak engineered wood flooring,
are proud of the environmental sustainability, recyclability, and
reutilization of their stunning, all natural, Wicanders Cork Oak Floors.
Cork oak is one of nature’s wonders, the perfect rare balance between
the demand for coveted natural beauty and an environmentally c
The Montados, the evergreen Cork Oak forests of the
Mediterranean, flourish in an area protected by the Portuguese
government. The growth, maturation, and harvest of each single tree are
strictly regulated. Each tree is nurtured from seed and thrives without the use of any chemical herbicides, fertilizers, or irrigation.
This method proves beneficial for the plentiful surrounding wildlife,
the growing Cork Oaks, and the sustainable products they supply.
In the manufacture of Wicanders Cork Oak Floors, only the
rejuvenating bark of the tree is harvested. During the harvest process,
the bark is carefully hand sheathed and the Cork Oak tree left completely unharmed.
In the Montados, Cork Oak bark is first harvested from a tree when it
is considered to be mature, usually 25-30 years of age. The rejuvenating
bark of Cork Oaks can safely be harvested up to 16 times during their
150-200 year lifecycle. The cyclical harvest of these majestic Cork Oaks
occurs every nine years, and is a cultural tradition dating back
several generations.
Once the trunk’s circumference has reached 70 centimeters, Wicanders
Cork Oak is ready to be sheathed. Each plank of bark is removed by hand
with precise care so that it does not split. The larger the planks
harvested, the greater their value. Removal of whole planks depends on
the skill of the workers.
After the first plank has been sheathed, then the procedure is
repeated over the entire trunk. A record is then painted on the tree’s
trunk to keep track of its last harvest.
While production of bottle stoppers is the main process for Cork Oaks
of the Montados, it is important to Amorim that absolutely no part of
the precious Cork Oak ever be wasted. Sheathes of Cork Oak that cannot
be utilized in bottle stopper production are used as planks for
Wicanders’ gorgeous flooring. Smaller sheathes, split planks, cork
pieces, and even cork dust is utilized in the production of agglomerated
cork products, including flooring insulation and unique pattern design.
Cork bottle stoppers are also up-cycled, or remade in to other
environmentally friendly products, such as insulation used in
construction. The natural material used in Wicanders Cork Oak Flooring
is both recyclable and biodegradable.
Cork Oak is friendly to our environment in yet another way. The thermal properties attributed to natural Cork Oak can reduce energy costs.
Wicanders Cork Oak floors are proven to reduce thermal transfer by
substantial amounts. Natural Cork Oak Flooring seems to have the warmth
of its Mediterranean roots locked into every cell. In fact, Cork Oak is
even used in aerospace applications because of its impressive thermal
properties. Tests performed at the University of Valencia, Spain, have
proven the insulating properties of Cork Oak. The study focuses on the
thermal interaction between the foot and the floor, using an infrared
camera to view thermography. Results show that Wicanders Cork Oak
Flooring displaces less thermal transfer than wood, ceramic tile, vinyl,
and even carpet. This unique cushion of Cork Oak warms each room better
than any conventional floor covering material on the market.
As if the sustainability, recyclability, reutilization process, and
energy conservation of Wicanders all natural Cork Oak Floors aren’t
reason enough to select them to grace your floors, the beauty of these
natural treasures is absolutely stunning. See for yourself our latest Cork Plank collection. And get ready, because in 2009, Nature’s palette will be in your hands…
onscious
resource.