Tuscania Nature Reserve

The Cork Grove of Tuscania

The Cork Grove of Tuscania is a pure wood of cork oak (Quercus suber) covering about 40 hectares, in the north eastern portion of the protected area, in part skirting the provincial road linking the town of Tuscania to the city of Viterbo.
It is an area of great natural interest so much so that it has been recognised by the European Union as a Site of Community Interest. It is a typical example of mature cork wood (one of the most ancient and best preserved in Lazio) and is the last remaining stretch of a formation which was much more extensive in the past: indeed the cork oak, a tree much appreciated for its resistance to varying weather conditions and to fire and used for the harvesting of cork, widespread in the Mediterranean basin, over the past few decades has seen considerable reduction in its extension. The underbrush is marked by a splendid flowering of wild orchids and other plants such as asphodel, morning glory and wild asparagus.
But apart from its botanical importance, this wood represents one of the last examples of harmonious interaction of man and nature. Indeed its presence within the Tuscania Nature Park is clearly dependent on human activities.