How resilient is Quercus suber L. to cork harvesting? A review and identification of knowledge gaps

► Cork harvesting increases Quercus suber vulnerability to drought and harmful agents. ► Stripped trees lose considerable amounts of water and show some immediate responses. ► Harvesting enhances radial growth due to quicker and thicker cork layer formation. ► Linkages between cork harvesting patterns and tree resilience remain to establish. ► Long-term studies encompassing biology, ecology and management are critically needed.