About Cork
Portugal has the largest cork oak forest in the What is cork Cork comes from the cork oak, a tree native of the Mediterranean region and extends to countries such as Portugal, Spain, France, Italy nothern Africa and recently in Austrålia! Portugal alone, provides more than 50% of the worlds cork production and the extraction method is completely eco-friendly to the tree. Harvesting is a process that does not harm the tree in any way. The bark is extracted entirely by hand, without any machinery, by skilled, trained technicians - The tree is not cut down, it´s surface does not suffer damages and the trees can last hundreds of years.
world – 715.000 hectares. The cork oak tree can live untill around 200 years old, being harvested for the first time at about 25 years old and then every 9 years. Only in so many years will the bark reach the minimum thickness required to provide the high quality cork we need for manufacturing of our high quality products. Besides the sustainability of cork production, it is important to know that growing, harvesting, caring and enhancing the planting of new corktrees is extremely important for our eco-system. We are proud to be part of this cycle to contribute to an eco-friendly world. Our aim is to preserve this ancient rural culture that co exists perfectly with nature.
Why cork? Cork is a material that is 100% natural, biode-
industry, cloth, bags, shoes, but also in furniture,
gradable and eco-friendly. Due to its elastic, waterproof and fire resistant properties, cork is a material with immense potential of multiporpose usage in various type of products. Cork products will contribute more and more to a cleaner and sustainable world, a very green solution.
leisure products, sports industry and even in the automotive and aerospace industry. After the cork is harvested, it is transported to the factory where the processing begins. Think sheets of cork are made from the leftover waste from producing wine stoppers. These sheets are then backed with fabric and cork leather is formed.
What is cork leather? Material and care Also called corkskin, corkfabric or new leather is produced from quality bark trough advantaged technology in combination with centuries of old portuguese cork know how. It is a partial new material since 2001 and is gaining rapid market acceptance because it´s a natural product from a renewable source. In recent times cork has gained a wave of popularaty in the fashion
All products from The Cork Tree are produced from cork leather to provide the natural beauty of cork allowing for the richness and durability of conventional leather. This eco-friendly wonder material is elegant, waterproof, light, soft, abrasion resistant and requires low maintenance. Cork leather can be washed in the washing machine up to 30ºC or 90ºF or if the cork leather becomes dirty wipe it off with a soap sponge. Due to it´s morphologic structure, cork and cork products including cork leather, when exposed to continuous solar light has the natural tendency to become brighter. Sometimes, your product get´s even more beautiful then with the natural and original colour. The Cork Tree cannot be consider responsible when this happens
About us
The Cork Tree was founded by Nuno Nascimento. From an early age he went with his grandfather to the Portuguese cork oak forest learning all the tricks that nature presents, knowing the properties owner´s, studying the tree´s and the best region´s just to search for the best cork bark and transform it into cork products suitable for commercialization. Even today, the family tradition continues to sell cork bark to the cork stopper industry from it´s own 500 hectares cork plantation and other cork areas. Conscious of it´s hereditary property, Nuno spended about 350.000,00€ in the last 8 years in the maintenance of the properties, which includes beyond the cleaning and fertilizing the cork oak forest also the plantation of 40.000 new cork trees. As a golfer, Nuno wondered why amateur players walked around with golf bags commonly offered by the standard golf manufactures. Nuno decided to offer fashionable golf
bags and other golf related products from the noble, eco-friendly and distinctly Portuguese material; the cork leather. The first introduction of these unique products was to sponsor the presence of the Portuguese professional golf player António Rosado at his presence at the European Tour Portugal Masters 2011. After this appearance, the next introduction of these unique products was the PGA Golf Show in Orlando, Florida in 2013 that was received with great enthusiasm. The Cork Tree became the first company in the world to produce golf products in cork leather. Company philosophy Cork is 100% natural, biodegradable and sustainable material. Cork leather has unlimited design possibilities for various products. We want to contribute to a more eco-friendly and greener world and cork leather can provide this without compromising functionality, durability and general quality.