Cork Oak

The bark of the cork oak (Quercus suber) has been the primary source of cork for wine bottles for a very long time. It is also used for flooring and as the core for cricket balls. 

Cork oaks are native to southwest Europe and northwest Africa. The cork oak forests are the habitat for the endangered Iberian lynx.

There are many cork oaks in the area. During times of war, cork supplies were scarce and people were encouraged to grow them in the US. The Shinns grew many cork oaks on their ranch. You can see more trees along Shinn Street near the Pacific Bus Museum. Shinn Street was one boundary of the Shinn Ranch.

"...from saplings from original cork oak at the end of Shinn Road."

Cork trees are native to the Mediterranean basin.

Old cork oak, one of many planted along today's Shinn Street. The Pacific Bus Museum can be seen on the left.

The western boundary of the original Shinn ranch is marked by Shinn Street.

A row of cork oaks was planted here. 

Two sets of railroad tracks crossed the ranch. The Western Pacific came through around 1910. A second Niles station was here.

Milicent Shinn's house was built on the other side of the second set of tracks. The property was quarried and so her home was moved.

The cork oak has been grown in California for a long time. Cork is a useful material, especially for stopping wine bottles. Were they planted by the Franciscan fathers who also imported their grapes for wine?