Yeah, it’s a cork oak. Click the pic for most of the story. What they leave out is the fact that the cork harvesters can’t use the rough outer layer the first time, so they really have to wait even more years to get a useful harvest.
Stuartsays
I read this blog in Google Reader, and it seems they have some weird algorithm for selecting ads to appear. I just noticed noticed an ad on this post for Christian Mingle, a dating site for Christian singles. A screen shot is here: https://webshare.uchicago.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-4214763_1-t_Ly1x7jAB
RowanVTsays
@10
Actually, they can use it… just not for the typical purposes associated with cork. It’s very popular with reptile and air-plant enthusiasts, however.
I recognized a cork tree immediately. Interesting background info, Menyambal!
I see lots of cork products that look like they’re made from small chips of cork glued together. Might be from that first harvest of bark.
madtom1999says
Enjoy it while you can – these trees will be gone soon with the acceptance of plastic corks. And so will the whole ecosystem they support – not least of which is pigs fattened on their acorns and then turned into air dried ham of a quality that might just make you believe in a higher being who certainly wouldn’t even consider considering pigs to be dirty…
Ariaflamesays
Although given the depletion of the fossil fuel resources necessary for the creation of plastics it might be that cork from renewable sources may come back into vogue.
Antiochus Epiphanessays
Suber post, Squidly OL.
ibbicasays
@madtom1999
Odds on the flooring industry picking up the slack?
Reminds me of the argument to use real trees, vines, flowers, berries, etc. for decorations, instead of buying plastic or silk, as it encourages farms of plants over production in factories.
There’s a little more to it than that, of course… but if the farming is done in a responsible way that allows the natural ecosystem to persist then I’m all for it. All those captive-bred Iberian lynx need somewhere to live, after all :)
Naked Bunny with a Whipsays
Aww.
greamesays
@Stuart #11
We are all well aware of the situation with the ads. It has been addressed many times.
Pssshhhh. Wearing pants is so twentieth century.
So maybe the lower part was under water at one point? at least thats what I would surmise.
Obviously this tree is dreaming; it’s probably about to give a speech before the United Nations assembly.
I saw some bits and pieces of what it was wearing in some bottle or other. Jammed in pretty tightly.
I don’t think it would do it any good any more.
Glen Davidson
Hungry giraffes?
You know, if you click on the picture…
Trees don’t pant. They respire in another way.
Does it appear that tree has shrinkage? I looked, but see nothing in the crotches of the tree.
In other news, is that a cork tree?
It’s a cork tree.
Yeah, it’s a cork oak. Click the pic for most of the story. What they leave out is the fact that the cork harvesters can’t use the rough outer layer the first time, so they really have to wait even more years to get a useful harvest.
I read this blog in Google Reader, and it seems they have some weird algorithm for selecting ads to appear. I just noticed noticed an ad on this post for Christian Mingle, a dating site for Christian singles. A screen shot is here:
https://webshare.uchicago.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-4214763_1-t_Ly1x7jAB
@10
Actually, they can use it… just not for the typical purposes associated with cork. It’s very popular with reptile and air-plant enthusiasts, however.
I recognized a cork tree immediately. Interesting background info, Menyambal!
I see lots of cork products that look like they’re made from small chips of cork glued together. Might be from that first harvest of bark.
Enjoy it while you can – these trees will be gone soon with the acceptance of plastic corks. And so will the whole ecosystem they support – not least of which is pigs fattened on their acorns and then turned into air dried ham of a quality that might just make you believe in a higher being who certainly wouldn’t even consider considering pigs to be dirty…
Although given the depletion of the fossil fuel resources necessary for the creation of plastics it might be that cork from renewable sources may come back into vogue.
Suber post, Squidly OL.
@madtom1999
Odds on the flooring industry picking up the slack?
Reminds me of the argument to use real trees, vines, flowers, berries, etc. for decorations, instead of buying plastic or silk, as it encourages farms of plants over production in factories.
There’s a little more to it than that, of course… but if the farming is done in a responsible way that allows the natural ecosystem to persist then I’m all for it. All those captive-bred Iberian lynx need somewhere to live, after all :)
Aww.
@Stuart #11
We are all well aware of the situation with the ads. It has been addressed many times.