Comments

  1. sandiseattle, fannypack user since 2000 says

    So maybe the lower part was under water at one point? at least thats what I would surmise.

  2. wilsim says

    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?

  3. Menyambal says

    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.

  4. RowanVT says

    @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.

  5. madtom1999 says

    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…

  6. Ariaflame says

    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.

  7. ibbica says

    @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 :)

  8. greame says

    @Stuart #11

    We are all well aware of the situation with the ads. It has been addressed many times.