Arizona Cork Trees

In 1940 at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, Buell Tade, a local representative of the National Firm, met with Charles E. McManus, President of the Crown Cork and Seal Company. At the hotel, they were greeted by the sight of a flourishing cork tree. McManus noted that it was as healthy as any cork tree in Spain or Portugal, the only sources of cork supply known. He inquired Tade if there were many in the state and if they were all as thriving. Tade owned up to not even knowing what a cork tree looked like.

A project was soon funded for the search of cork trees in Arizona, a heavy financial investment that resulted in 25 cork trees discovered throughout the state.

In 1941, McManus arranged with the Norman Nursery to propagate 7,000 seedlings, who were distributed for free to anyone who wanted to set them out. Tade supervised the distribution to keep record of where the trees are planted and their survival and growth checked on. He had a hard time giving them away as many people were under the impression there was a “catch” to the offer.

There is nothing special required in growing a cork oak tree. It needs some shade like any other transplanted young tree at first. Cork oak trees can thrive on as little as 23 inches of rainfall, or less than 2-acre feet of water.

The trees produce their first coat of cork in 15 to 20 years, and after that, it can be stripped each eight years. The lifespan of a cork oak tree is longer than of a human’s.