A young Quercus suber has been planted in the arboretum on 24th November 2024. It replaces a previous cork oak planted in memory of Wesley Semple former President of the Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club.

The cork oak is a Mediterranean evergreen oak species. Although native to Spain and Portugal it will grow happily to the North of Scotland. It is seldom seen here except in arboreta and botanic gardens. The cork oak forms a small tree to 18 or 20m, more usually short and wide spreading. It typically has twisted branches. The shoots are woolly, the evergreen leaves are a very dark green above and pale grey below. The thick bark is harvested in Spain and Portugal every 10 to 15 years. Harvesting does not damage the tree and the bark regrows.

Photographed in Belfast Botanic Gardens and Mount Stewart 2024. Copyright Friends of Belfast Botanic Gardens.