Influence of weather on cork-ring width

Ring-width series of cork from Quercus suber L. trees growing at two sites in Extremadura (southwestern Spain) were analyzed in relation to monthly pr ecipitation and temperature, and to climatic indices combining both variabl es. Ring width of cork showed strong positive correlations with precipitati on, especially during the fall and winter. Moderately low temperatures were favorable for cork growth, except in winter and during the onset of phello gen activity. We conclude that drought or temperature, or both, can limit c ork growth during the annual drought period.