Does harvesting the cork damage the trees?
Not at all. When the cork reaches maturity, it begins to separate naturally from the tree. Then using a process refined over centuries workers assist in the release by harvesting the cork and leaving behind a healthy tree. As soon as the tree is harvested, it begins the process all over again. In order to insure that the trees are healthy, the first, initial harvesting of the cork does not occur until the tree is 25 to 35 years of age.
