What is the Difference Between Cork and Bark?

Cork and bark are both outer components of woody plants, but they serve different functions and have distinct characteristics:

• Cork: Cork is a tough, insulating cell layer with wax that protects the stem and root from water loss. It is a component of the bark and is formed from the cork cambium. Cork consists of dead cells filled with suberin, which makes them highly impermeable to gases and water. Cork is primarily harvested from cork oak trees and is used for insulation, seals, and other applications.
• Bark: Bark is the outermost layer of the stem and root of woody plants, serving storage, transport, and protective functions. It is composed of cork, cork cambium, phelloderm, cortex, and secondary phloem. Bark is usually thinner than the woody part of the stem or root, and it is generated by both the cork cambium and vascular cambium. The inner bark, or secondary phloem, consists of live tissues that convey food from the leaves to the rest of the plant. Bark encompasses a wide variety of textures and densities, depending on the species of the tree, and generally functions as a shield against pests, diseases, and weather conditions.

In summary, cork is a specialized, insulating, and protective layer found within the bark, while bark is the outermost covering of the trunk and root of a plant, serving multiple functions.

Comparative Table: Cork vs Bark

Cork and bark are both outer components of woody plants, but they have distinct differences. Here is a table comparing the two:

Cork is a component of bark and is mainly found in woody plants. It is derived from the cork cambium and is composed of dead cells that are filled with suberin, a fatty substance that makes them highly impermeable to gases and water. On the other hand, bark is the outermost covering of the trunk and root of a plant, containing tissues outside the vascular cambium. It is formed from both cork cambium and vascular cambium, with cork serving as a protective layer.