Since Cyclone Alfred’s rampage through the region, many of us have needed the services of arborists – those gravity-defying tradies who seem as at home high in the branches as most of us do on terra firma. Bayside locals will have the opportunity to witness trade-qualified arborists compete at international level in May as part of AdventureFest.
International tree climbing competitions showcase the skills needed to do the job safely and efficiently as well as providing professional arborists an opportunity to keep up-to-date with the latest innovations in techniques and equipment. The competitors supply their own climbing gear, which is checked to make sure it conforms with the standard.
“If you’re an arborist you need to be fit and focussed,” says Bec Dalton, Business Manager of the Queensland Arboricultural Association. “When you’re up in a tree with a chainsaw, it can be quite dangerous, so you need to establish good teamwork and be able to communicate clearly. A lot of climbers these days have headsets that help overcome the noise of trucks and chainsaws. You also need to be able to tie reliable knots!”
Preliminary rounds require the individual arborists, male and female, to perform regular tasks related to tree care and more complicated undertakings, such as rescue work in a tree – and some bell-ringing and accurate wood-throwing. Competitors are judged on their ability to manoeuvre safely and accomplish the tasks professionally and in good time.
While the excitement and spectacle is in the climbing and pruning, Bec points out that arboriculture offers a range of career streams.
“As well as the climbing and pruning, you can follow the consultancy stream, which involves more tree risk assessment and plant health care, how best to deal with the tree, the science involved with trees’ growth patterns, its nutrient needs and the requirements of the Australian Standards. Those studies can take you from a Level Three up to a Level Five. To make things easier for consumers who need an arborist the Association has an approved register of trade qualified members.”
It’s quite likely – and appropriate – that arborist climbing competitions will reach the level of public popularity that wood chopping contests have traditionally held for Australians; rumour has it that wood chopping and tree climbing competitions have a shared history. And the crowds love them – so bring on the adrenaline!
The 2025 Asia Pacific Tree Climbing Championship (APTCC) will be held on May 23 – 25 at Capalaba Regional Park.
