Spring shoot phenology is an adaptive trait highly responsive to climatic conditions that influences plant growth and development, as well as plant–herbivore interactions. We investigated if the geographic origin of cork oak influenced spring shoot phenology (timing of budburst) and if the variation among provenances (advances and/or delays) had consequences for leaf pest damage. The study was conducted in two provenance trials (planted in 1998) located in central and southern Portugal; each trial was surveyed during a two-year period. The variation in budburst timing was compared for 35 cork oak (Quercus suber L.) provenances sampled from the entire natural distribution of the species. Budburst exhibited high broad-sense heritability (0.79–0.94). Two East/West groups effectively separated Q. suber genetic structure and the timing of budburst. Provenances from the western part of the natural range tended to burst later than provenances from the eastern part. Budburst provenance ranking was similar between sites and years. Climate strongly influenced budburst date: in the year with warmer winter months (2004), all provenances in both sites exhibited earlier budburst in comparison with 2003 and 2005. Leaf pest damage was assessed at the southern provenance trial. Differences in the timing of budburst had a significant effect on insect activity (herbivory), which was more concentrated in time and thus more important in the year with later budburst. However, North African provenances with earlier budburst were more exposed to insect herbivory within each year. This study demonstrated a significant provenance effect on budburst timing of Q. suber that is partly genetically determined and has consequences for exposure to herbivory. Knowledge of cork oak locally adapted provenances is important for sustainable forest management in Mediterranean climate conditions, particularly for (re)forestation actions, because it favors higher survival and growth.< Réduire