A medium sized evergreen oak native to southern Europe and northwest Africa. The source of cork for centuries with the thick bark being peeled every 9 or more years, the first harvest usually at 25 years. The tree isn't harmed by the harvest making it a very sustainable harvest. The trees are very long lived, usually over 200 years. Heavy producer of acorns that are excellent for food, oil pressing and animal fodder and the wood is excellent firewood. National tree of Portugal it is said to be an ancient specie with evidence of it going back at least 60 million years. Very tough and drought tolerant.