At Kramer Tree Specialists, we know that the value of a tree doesn’t always end when it comes down. Sometimes, the wood left behind can take on an entirely new purpose and this year, two very different log donations gave us the opportunity to see that idea come to life.
From Spruce Log to Nordic Farmhouse Ale
Earlier this fall, a couple of spruce logs from Kramer Tree Specialists made their way to Solemn Oath Brewery for a project that was unlike anything we had ever been involved with. What started as a freshly felled tree eventually became part of an old-world brewing process. Brewer Danny Boccassini, celebrating his 10th year at Solemn Oath, teamed up with Austin from HammerHeart Brewing Co. to create a traditional Nordic Farmhouse Ale. The spruce log donated by KTS was hand-hewn into a kuurna, a traditional wooden vessel used to filter wort.
The hollowed log was filled with fresh juniper sprigs, while crushed juniper berries were incorporated into the beer. The brewing process even included a Norwegian tradition known as a Gjærkauk (a ceremonial yell at the yeast intended to scare away evil spirits). The finished beer, Nidhogg, is named after the dragon from Norse mythology that gnaws at the roots of Yggdrasil, the great world tree. The beer is scheduled to make its debut at Solemn Oath’s Viking Harvest Festival on October 17th, 2026.
What began as a spruce tree removed from a landscape ultimately became part of a brewing tradition, a collaboration between friends, and a pretty unforgettable story.
From Logs to a Nature Playground
Our second donation had a very different destination: Norwood Park Elementary School in Chicago. The school’s PTO has spent years planning and fundraising for a new nature playground designed by GRG Playscapes. When the arborist originally committed to donating the hardwood logs needed for the project was unexpectedly unable to fulfill the request, the PTO began looking for another source.
That’s where KTS was able to help. We provided logs that could be used as part of the playground’s construction, giving otherwise unused wood a new purpose for students and families to enjoy for years to come. Zeppy delivered the logs to the school ahead of the playground’s installation, helping keep the project moving forward.
It’s a great example of how tree care can extend beyond the property where the work takes place. A log that may otherwise have been processed as wood waste can become part of a place where children learn, explore, play, and connect with nature.
More Than Just Wood
These two projects couldn’t be more different, a traditional Nordic beer on one hand and a nature playground on the other. But they share the same idea: trees can continue to provide value long after their time in the landscape has ended. Whether a log becomes part of an old-world brewing tradition, a playground, mulch, lumber, habitat, or another creative project, we’re proud when KTS can help give that material a second life.
Sometimes the best tree work doesn’t end at the job site.
