ELKINS — One of the men who harvested the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in Randolph County is now part of a family tradition involving the national trees.

Arden Cogar Jr. is a lifelong Mountain State resident whose family is well-known for its association with the timber industry for six generations, and has had a strong presence in lumberjack sports for more than 60 years.

His father, Arden Cogar, Sr., harvested the 1976 U.S. Capitol Christmas tree from the Gauley Ranger District. But 13 years earlier, Arden Cogar, Sr. also harvested the 1963 U.S. Capitol Christmas tree on a farm in Pickens in Randolph County.

Mary Winkler “offered a 100-year-old red spruce to President John F. Kennedy in November 1963 for installation on the White House lawn, according to the book “Haven in the Hardwood,” by Arnold Nelson.

“President Kennedy accepted the 78-foot-giant, with a 36.5-foot branch spread” just days before his assassination, Nelson writes.

“Luther Winkler and Arden Cogar, the Webster Springs national woodchopping champion, cut the tall centenarian on Dec. 2, 1963 — a tribute to West Virginia also, for it celebrated a century of independence,” the book states.

“The ponderous truck-trailer transporting the tree skidded in 22 inches of snow near Monterville” and was delayed for two days. Delivered on Dec. 5 to Washington, D.C., the tree “remained unlit until the end of our 30-day mourning period for President Kenndy, Dec. 22,” Nelson writes.

Mary Winkler attended the tree-lighting ceremony in Washington, the book states.

Arden Cogar Jr. has won 55 individual world titles in lumberjack sports, four U.S. Stihl Timbersports Series Championships, and many state and national championships.

Cogar has practiced law in West Virginia for more than 26 years.

He harvested the the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from Monongahela National Forest in Randolph County on Wednesday, along with longtime Monongahela National Forest employee Ron Polgar.