Warwood Tool Co. Among First W.Va. Sponsors of 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

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WHEELING - The Warwood Tool Co., founded in the city of Wheeling in 1854, is helping sponsor the next U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree that will be cut down in West Virginia this year.

Chris Azur, president of Warwood Tool, said Friday that his company wanted to help sponsor the tradition as a way to promote its new axe that will begin production at the Wheeling facility this summer.

"We're pretty excited. We were looking to do something memorable to launch our axe line," he said. "We were coming up with ideas and cool packaging, and the Christmas tree was the perfect opportunity with it coming from West Virginia this year."

Warwood Tool is the first West Virginia company to sign on to sponsor the tree.

"At Warwood Tool, we are thrilled to be a part of this long-standing holiday tradition, and we are so excited that this year's tree is coming from our state," Azur said. "For 169 years, Americans have been using our axes and other tools in the forest, so our support of the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree is a natural fit. We're proud to work with the USDA Forest Service and Choose Outdoors through this partnership."

Azur said Warwood Tool has been making tools used in National Forests for decades so it was only natural to start a new, more commercial-friendly axe line for people to use on their home properties. He noted, by law, only hand-run tools can be used in National Forests.

Since 1854, the Warwood Tool Company has been crafting high-quality, hand-forged sledges, mauls, axes, adzes, hammers, picks, chisels, bars, and punches used by people and companies across the United States.

Henry Warwood started his company in Ohio as a coal mining and gardening tool supply business, but as the landscape of America changed, Warwood Tools adapted, providing tools for the railroad, construction, and oil industries that fueled the Industrial Revolution.

During both World Wars, American soldiers relied on the Warwood entrenching mattock to dig foxholes and trenches, and have trusted Warwood Tool products in every war since the Civil War.

In 1892, Warwood Tool found a permanent home near Wheeling, in a town that grew around the factory and was named in its honor, Warwood. In 169 years, Warwood Tool has changed ownership only seven times and is still a family-owned and operated business.

Azor noted his family, the seventh to own Warwood Tool Co., is based in Pittsburgh.

Manufacturing in the same factory since 1907, Warwood Tool continues its commitment to the time-tested, labor-intensive manufacturing process that turns premium U.S.-sourced steel and hickory into the best hand tools available today, he noted.

Those who want to learn more about Warwood Tools' tools, including the Pulaski Axe, the Double Face Sledge, the Spike Maul, and others can visit https://warwoodtool.com/.

The Capitol Christmas Tree, aka "The People's Tree," since 1964, has stood on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building throughout the holiday season. Traditionally chosen from different National Forests, this year's tree will come from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. As a bronze-level sponsor, Warwood Tool is supporting the special tree's journey from Monongahela National Forest to Washington, D.C.

Azur said he is trying to get the event's organizers to include Wheeling on its list of stops when the tree makes its journey to Washington, D.C.

Azur said when the new axes start being sold, sometime in July, each will include a collector's sticker featuring special artwork. Each ax will say "USA Made" on it and Wheeling, W.Va. If the tree makes a stop in Wheeling, too, he hopes to also sell the new axes during that visit. It should be available to purchase on the company's website sometime in July.

The Christmas tree will be between 60 and 80 feet tall. Trees that are chosen must be healthy and rich in color, have strong growth and density, and be straight and perfectly conical in shape.

"The annual journey of the 'The People's Tree' is only possible because of the support of sponsors like Warwood Tool Company. We are so grateful for the help they provide in continuing this warm and festive American tradition," Bruce Ward, president of Choose Outdoors, the nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service, said