There are four species of oaks native to the region. The Quercus pubescens (Downy Oak), Quercus coccifera (Kermes Oak), Quercus suber (Cork Oak) and Quercus ilex (Holm Oak).
The Quercus pubescens (Downy Oak) is the only one that is decidious, the others are evergreen. They all have edible acorns although the acorns of the Cork Oak and the Holm Oak are more palatable. They are the staple diet of the Iberian black pigs. The cured ham of these pigs called "Pata Negra", is so tender, it melts in the mouth.
For human consumption the acorns are not edible till the tannin is leached out. This is done by boiling the acorns, the liquid will turn brown, pour off the liquid, add new liquid, bring to the boil, pour off the liquid, etc. etc., this process is repeated till the water is clear. During times of famine the acorns were ground and used to thicken soups or mixed with cereals for making bread or as a coffee bean substitute. Even today acorns of the Cork and Holm Oaks are regularly eaten in the northern Africa. The map below shows the areas of Cork & Holm Oaks.
Quercus pubescens (Downy Oak) is a long lived tree up to 500 years.
As mentioned before this oak is decidious, but the dried up brown leaves stay on the tree all winter, they only drop when the new young leaves appear. Here in the Var, it is considered to be a truffle oak, truffles are often found near the trunk of these trees. The wood is hard and is used in the manufacture of furniture. The galls that often grow on this tree have a very high tannin content. They have astringent properties that help to treat haemorrhages, chronic diarrhoea and dysentery.
The Quercus coccifera (Kermes Oak),
is a small to large shrub, evergreen, with small spiny serrated leaves, very similar to holly leaves. It takes 18 months for the acorns to mature. The cup of the acorn is different from the other oaks, it is prickly to the touch, because the acorns are bent backwards. The Kermes oak is the food plant of the "Kermes scale insect", they feed on the sap of the Kermes Oak. The female insects produces a red dye that is the source of natural crimson.
Quercus suber (Cork Oak)
is an evergreen tree up to 20m. It is a slow growing tree that can live up to 250 years. The Cork Oak has been harvested for thousands of years. The bark of the Cork Oak is harvested every 9-12 years.
The tree has to be 25 years old before the first harvest. A new layer re-grows after harvesting. The Romans discovered that cork floats, because of that they used it as buoys for fishing nets. They made sandals out of the cork. Cork is made into wine stoppers, insulation material and cork flooring.
Quercus ilex (Holm Oak)
is a very common tree in the Var. The name Holm is an old name for Holly as the leaves resemble holly leaves. Visitors to this region very often confuse the Holm Oak for an Olive tree as the underside of the leaves are silver in colour and from a distance they look like olive leaves. The wood is hard and tough and has been used since ancient times for pillars, tools, vessels, wagons and wine casks. It is a good burning wood and it is used to make charcoal.
Web site:
Wikipedia
Kew royal botanical gardens
Photos: Saskia + web
