ABOUT THE ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION
On a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.
Thank You!
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ROOTED IN SUSTAINABILITY
You buy the barrels. We donate the trees.
From sourcing the best used materials as our product, to giving barrels a second life - we aim to make a positive impact on our customers, our industry, and especially our planet. Doing more with less inspired us to branch into decor, and it got us wondering what else we could do with barrels that didn't make the cut for barrel aging? Cue our next small step, to break down and reduce barrel waste into something more enjoyable for our customers. Now you can savor neighborhood cookouts and block parties with a little taste of Midwest Barrel Co. (whether we get an invite or not).
#SAVETHESTAVE
2021-22: Shawnee National Forest Oak Reforestation Project
Midwest Barrel Co. has always had a desire to make a lasting and sustainable impact on our planet as the business grows. That’s why we are proud to say we have planted 20,000 oak trees in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation. These trees were planted in 2021 and 2022 as part of the Oak Reforestation Project in Shawnee National Forest.
WHY TREES?
The rich history of bourbon all begins with the tree. True story, some distillers attribute up to 70% of the bourbon flavor to the quality of the barrel. Meaning trees are damn important. As facilitators of the craft, we want the tradition and practice of barrel-aged spirits to thrive in future generations. That is why we are on a mission to replace what we take and do our part in preserving the life cycle of the barrel for years to come.
80 YEARS
Oak trees grow on average 60-80+ years before they are harvested.
3 BARRELS
Oak trees typically produce a max of three barrels (53-60 gallon) per tree. Sometimes as few as one.
WHITE OAK
White oak is commonly used to produce barrels because it is hard, medium bending and non porous like other oak woods.
WHY TREES: BEN’S STORY
Before There Was a Barrel Ben ...
Inspired by a legendary forester (Grandpa Keith), Ben developed an interest in plants from a young age. Grandpa and Ben spent hours exploring off the beaten path on plant identification missions. What started as memories and time with his grandpa, turned into a passion for plants encouraging him to pursue a doctorate degree in horticulture. While Dr. Ben’s specialization is actually viticulture (grape growing), trees will always be his passion - both because of the memories they hold with his Grandpa and the impact they make on our world.
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WHY ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION?
Support local & impact the world.
With each little step we take, we become a more responsible business that can do more for our customers. So we joined a worldwide movement with the Arbor Day Foundation to improve water and air quality, slow climate change, and reduce poverty by planting trees – because beyond the smiles and cheers – we want to keep the planet happy too. To do our part, Midwest Barrel Co. donates trees to be replanted when you buy barrels. This partnership helps us move towards a more sustainable planet and chips away at the Arbor Day Foundation’s goal of planting 500 million trees by 2027.
READ MORELET’S SAVE THE PLANET.
2023 Silver Creek Riparian Corridor Project
THE WHERE
Silver Creek in Kentucky
THE WHY
Streams on a parcel of land totaling nearly 500 acres at the headwaters of Stony Creek in Kentucky have suffered from degradation after many years of nearby agriculture and silviculture. Water quality and wildlife habitat have both been negatively impacted. Specifically, this area is home to imperiled bat species. Restoration plans, including planting a mix of trees, will improve both water quality and wildlife habitat, returning the land closer to its natural state.
THE WHO
Arbor Day Foundation & Midwest Barrel Co.
THE WHAT
Through our partnership with Arbor Day Foundation, Midwest Barrel Co. has committed to planting a mix of 10,000 trees on the parcel of land throughout 2023. In total, the foundation will plant 80,000 trees to restore the watershed. Planted trees will include:
- White Oak
- Bur Oak
- Northern Red Oak
- Chinkapin Oak
- Tulip Oak