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photo by: Derek Redd
John and Marsha Roth of Wheeling get a closer look at the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree during its stop Thursday at Wheeling Park’s White Palace.
WHEELING — A 63-foot Norway spruce weighing 8,000 pounds carefully inched into the White Palace parking lot as spectators gathered to greet the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree during its visit to Wheeling.
The city is the ninth stop out of 16 the tree will make on its 13-day tour of West Virginia before its final resting place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building. After some careful maneuvering of its 102-foot-long semi-trailer truck, locals had the chance to stop by and visit during the two hours the spruce was rooted in Wheeling Park on Thursday.
Each year, one of America’s 154 national forests is selected to provide a tree for the U.S. Capitol. Stemming from Randolph County and Monongahela National Forest, the 2023 spruce marks the third time West Virginia has provided a tree for the U.S. Capitol.
“Wa’feem’tekwi,” meaning “bright tree,” was the name bestowed to the Norway spruce by the Shawnee Tribe. The People’s Tree lit up Wheeling with Christmas cheer on Thursday as onlookers gathered to sign the banner adorning the truck.
Just finished with the tough job of squeezing the massive trailer into the lot, Warner Enterprises driver Tim Dean could not help but share in the excitement of local residents Thursday.
“I’ve spent my whole 35-year career delivering all the goods that keep America moving,” said Dean. “But now, with the Capitol tree, I’m delivering smiles in giving people the chance to see this tree and sign the trailer.”
The spruce is in safe hands with Dean. Though this is “definitely the biggest load” Dean has ever hauled due to “the sheer size of the tree,” he has the highest safety record in his company.
“Everybody’s like ‘Well, are you nervous?’ but when you’re driving safe and limiting distractions, getting to the next destination is easy,” added Dean. “Whether pulling a 63-foot Capitol Christmas Tree or driving your car to work, putting that cell phone down and staying focused on what you’re doing is the key.”
Dean is one of many members of the tree’s entourage, as Monongahela National Forest staff gathered to answer any well-wishers’ questions.
Describing being selected for the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree as the “highlight of a forester’s career,” Monongahela National Forest Public Information Officer Tina White explained staff kept an eye out at Lauren Folk Campground in Elkins for potential candidates leading up to the tree’s selection.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in this,” added White. “The staff has been joking around that maybe one of our kids will be able to pick out the next one because it’s so rare.”
Out of 12 options picked by Monongahela staff, eight finalists were designated, with the Director of the Capitol Grounds for the Architect of the Capitol Jim Kaufmann selecting the final spruce.
“It was planted in 1985, so it’s had the time to grow out this beautiful circumference,” described White. “We don’t have to shove it in a corner or anything to hide a bad side, it just looks beautiful at every angle.”
Locals concurred with Kaufmann’s choice, with Triadelphia sixth graders Lyla Santorine and Cadence Kaniecki thrilled to see the tree alongside classmates. Kaniecki described being surprised by the size of the tree, adding, “I honestly thought it would be really small, like a normal Christmas tree.”
“I was excited to come here and see this big Christmas tree and sing carols with my classmates,” added Santorine. “It’s definitely been a day I’ll never forget.”
Wheeling resident Dwaine Rodgers was not only impressed by the size of the spruce, but the festivities brought with it. The Triadelphia Middle School choir sang a medley of carols as the tree pulled into the lot, plus the Grinch and Smokey the Bear were present to greet visitors.
“I was impressed with the security that’s all around and all the activities,” said Rodgers. “This tree is something we all should take a little pride in because it’s coming from our home state.”
Planning for the tree’s arrival began in September, with Wheeling Park Commission Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman of the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce Rodney Haley describing himself as “wearing two hats today” since both organizations were instrumental in coordinating the tree’s visit to Wheeling.
“When the National Forest reached out to us and wanted to know if they could stop in Wheeling, all I had to say was, ‘Heck yeah, we want you to stop in Wheeling,’” said Haley. “It’s just been an exciting month planning for the tree, and today, the turnout has been great.”
Also instrumental in bringing the tree to Wheeling was the Warwood Tool, which was the only sponsor for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the city. Saying the company backing the event was “the perfect match,” Warwood Tool President Chris Azur explained Warwood Tool sells to a number of national parks and forestry suppliers.
After two hours in Wheeling, the spruce departed for its next stop at 84 Lumber in Morgantown. Making sure to leave their mark, locals’ signatures climbed higher and higher on the trailer banner.
“At every stop we’ve done, the people we’re getting to meet are just good-hearted people, and they understand the meaning of Christmas,” said Dean before reentering the pilot’s seat. “That’s the biggest goal – people coming together and having that chance before the holidays to reflect a little bit with each other.”
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