DATE:           Saturday, June 17; RAIN DATE: Sunday, June 18
TIME:            6:45 a.m. - 6 p.m.
WHAT:          New England Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture’s Tree Climbing Championship
WHERE:       Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst, Newton

This Saturday, June 17, the public is invited to join professional arborists and expert tree-climbers in a tree-climbing demonstration and competition to be held at the Mount Ida Campus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Newton.

Tree-climbing competitions demonstrate the working conditions of arborists in the field. The competition helps provide the public with a better understanding of the skills it takes to properly climb and care for trees. 

The event is open to the public. Families are welcome, and there will be a kids’ climb.

During the day, New England’s most skilled climbers will compete for the coveted title of New England Champion and a chance to compete in the grand finale, known as the International Tree Climbing Championship, to be held this summer in Albuquerque, N.M. Climbing categories include aerial rescue, belayed speed climb, work climb, ascent event, throwline and master’s challenge. 

Schedule of events (times may vary)

• 6:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Tree Climbing Championship Preliminary Events 
• 10 a.m – 1 p.m.      Kids Tree Climb 
• 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.       The Master’s Challenge Event (the finals)
• 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.       Results & Awards