Assessing the impact of Kaolin treatment on the development and overall health of cork oak trees after cork stripping.

Cork oak forests play a crucial role in the Mediterranean region, providing ecological, social, and economic benefits. Factors such as wildfires, pests, diseases, and climate change have led to a decline in cork oak ecosystems. This study evaluates the effectiveness of kaolin treatment in mitigating multiple stress factors following cork removal, including water stress while maintaining the canopy’s photochemical efficiency and the long-term vigor of the trees. The research, conducted in a Spanish cork oak forest, assessed physiological parameters such as stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence, and leaf chlorophyll concentration. Additionally, TreeTalker® devices were employed to monitor sap flow, tree stability, and climatic conditions, offering a comprehensive view of the trees’ physiological responses. Proximal vegetation indices (NDVI and NDRE) were analyzed to evaluate vegetative growth, with no significant differences observed in the short term. Results demonstrated that kaolin application positively impacted photosynthetic performance and water dynamics, as treated trees maintained higher efficiency and resilience than untreated ones. These findings suggest that kaolin treatments could enhance tree resilience to environmental stressors. Further research on the long-term implications for cork production and tree health is recommended to optimize this management strategy.