PRESS RELEASE FROM THE ASSOCIATED COOPERAGES INDUSTRIES OF AMERICA 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (February 25, 2025) –  As important discussions continue regarding the sustainability of American white oak (Quercus alba), including a bipartisan bill introduced this week in the U.S. Senate, a new report has been released that highlights decades of research published by the USDA Forest Service, university researchers, nonprofits and other relevant organizations.

Authored by Jeffrey Lewis, Independent Stave Company’s forestry and land management division manager, and Jennifer Lindsay Kromann, freelance writer and contributing editor, the report’s goal to balance the complexity of the topic while outlining 1) key information currently known about white oak sustainability, including how it pertains to the cooperage industry, and 2) what can happen to further protect what is considered a pivotal keystone tree species. The report will be updated every 5-7 years as new data becomes available.

American white oak is considered highly desirable in the habitats where it grows, benefiting the flora, fauna and watersheds, and a percentage is also harvested at maturity as a renewable raw material. Sustainability concerns have increased as data has shown changing forest dynamics require increased management for white oak to best thrive, especially in certain areas within its range.

“American white oak sustainability is receiving a lot of media attention these days, likely because there are so many interested stakeholders – ecologists, forest and wildlife experts, the forest products industries, and anyone who enjoys beverages aged in white oak barrels. Unfortunately, not all the coverage has been accurate or constructive,” confirmed Jeffrey Lewis, a contributor to the report.

Lewis worked for the USDA Forest Service for 35 years before moving to his current role in forestry and land management for Independent Stave Company. “We hope this report will help people recognize how much verifiable, and often peer-reviewed, information is available to the public. Furthermore, we believe a hopeful story remains, even as we do need to use management more and more effectively to counteract changes within the forest.”

The report also shares several statistics based on private data from cooperage companies, with the goal of contributing relevant industry information to the sustainability conversation.

The report is available to download here. For more information, contact ACIA at (502) 261-2242.

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ABOUT ASSOCIATED COOPERAGE INDUSTRIES OF AMERICA, INC.
The Associated Cooperage Industries of America, Inc. (ACIA) is the official trade association of the wooden barrel industry. Founded in 1934, the ACIA serves as a professional society and go-to resource for cooperages, stave and heading producers, distillers, vintners, and all those allied to the wooden barrel. ACIA's mission is to be a strong voice in the barrel world, helping to make lasting connections between our member organizations, creating networking opportunities, and promoting and educating the industry as a whole. For more information, visit www.acia.net or call (502) 261-2242.

For more information, please contact:           
Melissa Zoeller, Executive Director
Associated Cooperage Industries of America. Inc.
(502) 553-9732
melissa@acia.net