Tree climbing championships

U.S. state champion hoping for 3rd gold

A New Jersey man is hoping to win the state's tree climbing championship - for the 17th year running.

If Mark Chisholm wins the event next month, he will compete in the International Tree Climbing Championship in Rhode Island in July - something he has won twice.

Sponsored by power tool manufacturer STIHL Inc., Chisholm travels around the globe, speaking on professional tree care as an expert arborist. He competes in tree climbing events to raise awareness of his profession.

"There are five different events in the preliminary round, some of which are built on speed - plain and simple," he explains. The first is the 'secured footlock event', of which Chisholm is currently the world record holder. "This involves climbing a 15-metre-high rope without touching the tree," he explains.

Another event is the Belayed Speed Climb where competitors climb the tree and not the rope. "You're belayed with a rope but you're running up the tree as fast as you can," Chisholm says.

"There is also a serious event - the aerial rescue in which we are given a scenario and we have to simulate a rescue situation. We have to control the scene and go up and do an inspection and bring the victim down. And there's just seven minutes to do it."

Chisholm says one mistake can disqualify a competitor from the event. "Some say the key to winning is self-confidence," he says. "But the key to self-confidence is proper preparation. I don't overestimate my ability. And I don't underestimate anyone else's."

Arboriculture - or tree surgery - can be a dangerous profession. "Particularly when you factor in the fact that trees are heavy and it involves chainsaws," Chisholm says. "But you can limit that by good work practices and improving your education."

Around 50 men and women from 18 different countries will compete in the world championships on July 31st. The New Jersey championships take place on June 13th.

For more information on Chisholm, visit: stihlusa.com/events/events_chisholm.html and on his own website, www.treebuzz.com