FAQ

Virgin cork bark is the first harvest of outer bark from a mature cork oak tree (Quercus suber). It has a thick, rough, heavily textured surface with deep crevices — very different from processed or commercial cork products. The trees are not harmed or cut down during harvesting; the bark regrows naturally over several years. Virgin cork is the preferred choice for naturalistic vivariums, reptile enclosures, and plant mounting because of its durability, natural appearance, and chemical safety for animals and plants.

Tubes are curved or cylindrical sections of bark — essentially pieces of the tree’s trunk or branch, retaining their natural hollow or curved form. They make excellent reptile hides, can be mounted vertically or horizontally in a vivarium, and are popular for mounting air plants and orchids. Flats are just that — flatter, slab-like pieces of bark harvested from wider sections of the cork oak. They’re ideal for vivarium back walls, larger mounting panels, and terrarium backgrounds. Both are 100% natural and unprocessed.

Our pre-cut tiles are machine-cut virgin cork bark pieces in consistent, uniform sizes. They’re great for vivarium background builds where you want a fitted, modular look, and they save a lot of cutting time compared to working with raw flats. We offer them in packs of 20 or 33 pieces, and with or without a back panel.

Premium thin cork sheets are very flat, lightweight sections of cork bark — thinner and more uniform than standard flats. They’re ideal for covering vivarium back walls, as a substrate liner, for crafts and creative projects, or anywhere you need cork to flex or conform slightly to a surface.

Cork bark scraps are irregular offcuts and mixed pieces that don’t meet our sizing standards for our boxed products. They still make great hides, accents, and mounting pieces — just at a lower price per pound. A perfect option if you’re buying for a large build, want filler pieces, or are on a tighter budget.

Beyond cork bark, we carry a variety of natural hardwoods and botanicals popular in vivarium and reptile setups, including spider wood (hardwood root balls), ghost wood branches, dragon bone wood, ironwood, cholla wood (standard and large diameter), sandblasted grape vines, tumbled grape vines, and coconut shell hides and houses. Inventory can vary — check our shop for what’s currently in stock.

Our cork flat boxes are priced and sized by weight and box dimensions:

Size	Weight	Box Dimensions	Piece Range
Small	~5 lbs	12″×12″×12″	4″–12″ pieces
Medium	~12 lbs	18″×18″×17″	8″–18″ pieces
Large	~22–25 lbs	36″×16″×16″	12″–32″ pieces

If you’re building a large vivarium background or need substantial pieces, go with the medium or large. The small box is great for smaller setups, mounting projects, or trying out the product before ordering more.

Cork bark is one of the most popular naturalistic materials in reptile keeping. Cork tubes make excellent hides for snakes, geckos, lizards, and similar species — they hold their shape, resist mold, and look great. Flat pieces can be used to create climbing structures, cave entrances, stacked shelters, and background panels. Cork is chemically inert, safe for all reptiles, easy to clean, and holds humidity well — making it a favorite for tropical and humid-climate setups.

For vivarium backgrounds, cork flats and pre-cut tiles are the most popular choice. Large flats give you a natural, varied look when assembled as a background wall. Pre-cut tiles make it easy to fill a specific area with uniform panels. Cork tubes add depth and structure, and work great as anchor points for live plants. For a smaller desktop build, a small box of flats plus a tube or two is a great starting point.

Absolutely — cork bark is one of the best natural mounting surfaces for air plants and tillandsias. Its textured surface provides an excellent grip point, it’s lightweight, and it looks beautiful. Simply secure your air plant with a small amount of E6000 glue or tie it gently with fishing line until the roots attach naturally. Cork flats and tubes both work well. If you need air plants to mount, check out our sister site, Davis Farms Wholesale Tillandsias.

Yes. Cork bark is a classic mounting medium for epiphytic orchids and bromeliads. It provides excellent drainage, holds moisture at the surface without becoming waterlogged, and lasts for many years. Flat pieces and tubes both work well. Many orchid growers prefer cork over tree fern or wood because of its longevity and durability.

Virgin cork bark is considered safe for invertebrates and is widely used in invertebrate husbandry. It’s non-toxic, naturally resistant to mold and bacteria, and makes great hides and climbing structures. Cork tubes are particularly popular for tarantulas. As always, inspect any new enclosure material and spot-clean as needed.

Yes — we offer free ground shipping on all orders to the contiguous lower 48 states. No minimum purchase required. Shipping is included in the price you see for all standard products, except our 300 lb and 600 lb bulk pallets, which note that shipping is not included due to freight costs.

Orders are typically processed and shipped within 1–3 business days. Ground shipping transit time varies by distance from Encinitas, CA — most orders in the western US arrive within 3–5 business days, while orders to the eastern US may take 5–7 business days. You’ll receive tracking information once your order ships.

We can ship to Hawaii and Alaska, but shipping costs vary significantly by weight and destination. Please contact us before placing your order and we’ll give you an accurate shipping quote.

Yes! We’re located in Encinitas, California (92024), and you’re welcome to pick up your order in person to avoid shipping costs entirely. Please contact us to arrange your pickup and confirm timing before coming by.

Yes. For large-volume buyers — pet stores, nurseries, vivarium retailers, and wholesalers — we offer 300 lb and 600 lb bulk pallets of mixed cork bark tubes and flats at significantly reduced per-pound pricing. Note that pallet orders do not include freight shipping, so please factor that into your total. Contact us if you’d like to discuss bulk pricing or ongoing wholesale arrangements.

Because cork bark is a natural product with variation in size, shape, and texture, returns are handled on a case-by-case basis. If you receive something that doesn’t meet expectations — including damaged or missing items — please notify us within 24 hours of delivery with photos and your order number and we’ll make it right. See our full Refund, Return & Cancellation Policy for details.

Yes! For qualifying large orders, we offer free delivery directly to your business location. Here’s how it works:

Requirement	Details
Minimum Order	1,000 lbs or more
Delivery Area	Within 50 miles of zip code 92024 (Encinitas, CA)
Delivery To	Business locations only
Cost	Free

To arrange local delivery, contact us before placing your order and we’ll confirm eligibility and schedule your delivery.

Yes — anyone can order from our website. There is no account requirement and no minimum order. We sell to individuals, hobbyists, breeders, and businesses alike, though we primarily cater to businesses.

Yes. If you’re a California-based business with a valid seller’s permit, you can register for a tax exemption through our California Tax Exempt Registration page. Complete the form there and we’ll get you set up.

If you’re a retailer, pet store, nursery, or distributor interested in a regular wholesale relationship, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us to discuss pricing and terms.

You can check your order status anytime through your account. Here’s how:

1. Go to My Account and log in with your email and password.
2. Click “Orders” in the left menu to see all your orders.
3. Find your order and click “View” to open the order details.
4. Your current order status will be displayed at the top of the page.
5. Once shipped, your tracking number will appear in the order details — click it to track your shipment.

Our cork bark comes from cork oak trees (Quercus suber), which are primarily grown in Portugal, Spain, and other parts of the western Mediterranean. Cork harvesting is a sustainable practice — the bark is stripped by hand every 9–12 years without harming the tree, which continues to grow and produce bark for decades.

Yes — cork bark is a natural product, and every piece is unique. Size ranges listed in our product descriptions reflect the general range of pieces you can expect in that box, but shapes, textures, thickness, and exact dimensions will vary. This natural variation is part of what makes it beautiful. If you need very specific sizing for a project, contact us and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

Not on this site — but our sister company, Davis Farms Wholesale Tillandsias, sells over 600 species and hybrids of air plants at wholesale prices. If you’re mounting tillandsias on cork bark, that’s your one-stop shop for both.

Just reach out through our contact page or call us at 760-704-8289. We’re a small, hands-on team and we’re happy to answer questions about products, applications, sizing, and orders. We typically respond within 1 business day.