Cork stripping in Alentejo

Cork stripping is done traditionally every 9 years to obtain commercial grade cork. It is removed for the first time when the tree is 18–25 years, these photos were taken by me from the surounding lands near our home in Alentejo. Portugal.

During a harvest, the outer bark of a cork oak's trunk and major branches is carefully stripped by hand – no mechanical stripping devices are allowed. Experienced cork strippers use a specialized cork axe to slit the outer bark and peel it away from the tree.