Introduction
The most common tree of the Ardenya-Cadiretes massif is the cork oak (Quercus suber L.), or, simply, cork “suro”, according to the area's speech. From this tree, the cork is extracted, since it is its bark, which is followed by caps and other applications. It is possible that from time to time, you see a bunch of recently peeled openings, where the difference between the peeled area and the remaining crust is perfectly visible.
The process of cork peel is the following:
- The peeler, the person with the most experience, before peeling asks for permission, which means that he checks if it is a good time for the tree. He pricks the trunk, and according to the sound that comes out it means that it is sufficiently hydrated, and it can be peeled.
- First, he makes the crown to the trunk (cutting what surrounds the upper part of the trunk); Then the “glencha” (longitudinal cut parallel to the axis of the trunk), then puts the handle of the ax in the cut to lever and peel the cork of the trunk, stripping the tree.
- Then the “burricaire” arrives, the person in charge of taking the cork breads and painting the undressed trunks to protect it and avoid bad things. Hence the dark color that we see (foto).
Cork peeling is made every 10 or 12 years for every tree and more or less by zones.