Objective:
This document presents the methodology used by the Extremadura Scientific and Technological Research Centre (CICYTEX) for assessing the quality of piled cork. Once the cork has been stripped from the trees, the planks are arranged in ‘piles’ prior to transportation to the factory. Assessing the cork in these piles is particularly useful in forests with difficult access, where direct assessment on the tree is not viable.
Context:
Cork is highly prized for its characteristics. It is light, elastic, insulating, natural and renewable. It is a highly heterogeneous material, which complicates classification into the most suitable uses for each piece. The assignation of uses is determined by the quality of the cork. This analysis is very important since the price of cork varies enormously according to its final use. Cork can be sold either on the tree or in piles once debarked. There are several methods to estimate the quality of the cork in a pile (del Pozo Barrón et al. 2000a). The method presented is that developed by CICIYTEX to evaluate the quality of piled cork.
Contacts:
Ramón Santiago Beltrán, ramon.santiago@juntaex.es
José Luis del Pozo Barrón
Further information:
Plan de calas 2020. Plan de estimación de calidad de corcho en campo. Metodología de trabajo. CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTÍFICAS Y TECNOLÓGICAS DE EXTREMADURA (CICYTEX). Junta de Extremadura. http://cicytex.juntaex.es/es/centros/icmc/servicios/2/plan-de-calas
DEL POZO, J. L., BERNAL, C., CARDILLO, E., GARCÍA, M., GONZÁLEZ, J., & SANTIAGO, R. (2000a). Manual didáctico del sacador y del obrero especializado en los trabajos culturales del alcornocal. Proyecto Leosuber. Consejería de Educación Ciencia y Tecnología. Junta de Extremadura.
Del Pozo Barrón, J.L.; Díaz Gallego, A.; Santiago Beltrán, R.; Vasco Jiménez, A. 2000b. Análisis de la calidad del corcho en Marruecos a través de un nuevo sistema de muestreo de corcho apilado. CONGRESSO MUNDIAL DO SOBREIRO E DA CORTIÇA. Lisboa, 19-21 de Julho de 2000.