#SaveTheStave

HOW WE GIVE BACK

Jess and Ben Loseke hugging a large tree
#SaveTheStave Tree Planting Project with Arbor Day Foundation Coal Mine Restoration KY & WV Green Forests Work

ROOTED IN SUSTAINABILITY

You buy the barrels. We donate the trees.
Giving barrels a second life is what we do. From guiding them to a new aging journey to finding creative ways to repurpose those that don’t make the second-fill cut, we aim to make a positive impact on our customers, our industry, and especially our planet. We’re committed to making sure no part of a barrel goes to waste, a mindset that led us to branch into barrel decor, and eventually to breaking down oak for BBQ smoking wood. We’re making the most of every stave, but our sustainability efforts don’t stop there.

#SaveTheStave®

At Midwest Barrel Co., growing our business and nurturing our planet go hand-in-hand. In partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, we’re proud to say we’ve planted 53,000 trees (and counting).

Want to learn more about our previous projects? Check out our impact reports for 2024 & 2023:

2025: Legacy Coal Mine Reforestation Project

This year, our partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation will help restore forests in the Central Appalachian Region, an area deeply impacted by surface coal mining. We’re supporting the planting of 10,000 trees to revive former mining sites in eastern Kentucky and West Virginia, where natural tree regeneration has been stunted. These trees will help rebuild native forests, restore vital habitats, and support healthier ecosystems for the region.

Jess and Ben Loseke hugging a large tree

ROOTED IN SUSTAINABILITY

You buy the barrels. We donate the trees.
Giving barrels a second life is what we do. From guiding them to a new aging journey to finding creative ways to repurpose those that don’t make the second-fill cut, we aim to make a positive impact on our customers, our industry, and especially our planet. We’re committed to making sure no part of a barrel goes to waste, a mindset that led us to branch into barrel decor, and eventually to breaking down oak for BBQ smoking wood. We’re making the most of every stave, but our sustainability efforts don’t stop there.

#SaveTheStave®

At Midwest Barrel Co., growing our business and nurturing our planet go hand-in-hand. In partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, we’re proud to say we’ve planted 53,000 trees (and counting).

Want to learn more about our previous projects? Check out our impact reports for 2024 & 2023:

2025: Legacy Coal Mine Reforestation Project

This year, our partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation will help restore forests in the Central Appalachian Region, an area deeply impacted by surface coal mining. We’re supporting the planting of 10,000 trees to revive former mining sites in eastern Kentucky and West Virginia, where natural tree regeneration has been stunted. These trees will help rebuild native forests, restore vital habitats, and support healthier ecosystems for the region.

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 Icon
80 YEARS

Oak trees grow on average 60-80+ years before they're harvested.

Barrel Icon
3 BARRELS
Oak trees typically produce a max of three barrels (53-60 gallon) per tree, sometimes as few as one.
Oak Tree Icon
WHITE OAK
White oak is commonly used to produce barrels because it's hard, medium-bending and non porous, like other oak woods.
  • 80 Icon
    80 YEARS
    Oak trees grow on average 60-80+ years before they are harvested.
  • Barrel Icon
    3 BARRELS
    Oak trees typically produce a max of three barrels (53-60 gallon) per tree. Sometimes as few as one.
  • Oak Tree Icon
    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.
Ben Loseke using saw to cut evergreen tree
Proud Supporter of Tree Planting - Arbor Day Foundation

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.

A FUTURE WORTH PLANTING FOR

2025 White Oak Restoration on Private Lands

THE WHERE
Eastern Kentucky & West Virginia
THE WHY

The coal mining boom left lasting scars on the forests of Kentucky and West Virginia. Stripped of trees and nutrients, former mining sites were reclaimed but never truly restored. Without tree cover, loose soil washes into waterways, harming local wildlife and communities.


In recent years, Appalachia has been devastated by deadly floods, washing away homes, roads, and entire communities. Without deep-rooted forests to stabilize the soil and absorb excess rainfall, these disasters have only worsened.


By planting native trees, including upland white oak, we’re working to restore these damaged landscapes, strengthen watersheds, and create resilient forests that will support both the land and the people who call it home.

THE WHO
Arbor Day Foundation & Midwest Barrel Co.
THE WHAT

In partnership with Arbor Day Foundation, Midwest Barrel Co. has committed to planting 10,000 trees across 16 acres of former mining sites in 2025.

OUR GOAL

Restore land in Barrel Country by planting 10,000 trees in 2025!
Map of United States with magnifying glass focused on Kentucky

ABOUT THE ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION

On a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.