For many of the arborists at Cumberland Valley Tree Service – Landscaping, tree care doesn’t end when the workday is over. Climbing, training, and learning are part of a larger community and, for some, a lifestyle.
This spring, six CVTS-L arborists – Levi Woodal, Collin Bricker, Jackson Grimland, Conner Fristche, Shane Eshelman, and Aaron Feather – competed in chapter championship tree climbing competitions. Two advanced to the finals, putting their skills to the test alongside other talented arborists.
But these competitions aren’t only about winning. The training and experience that go into competitive tree climbing help our arborists continue improving the skills they use every day.
What Happens at a Tree Climbing Competition?
Tree climbing competitions consist of a series of scored events designed to challenge different climbing and arboricultural skills.
Events can include the belayed speed climb, aerial rescue, work climb, throwline, and ascent. Each presents a different challenge, requiring competitors to combine physical activity with technique, efficiency, and control.
It’s one reason professional tree climbers can be thought of as industrial athletes. The work requires strength and endurance, but being a good climber also takes practice, precision, and a deep understanding of the craft.
Competition Makes Better Arborists
The desire to compete doesn’t suddenly appear on competition day.
Many of our arborists spend their own evenings and weekends training together. You might find them practicing their climbing skills on a Friday night or working out to improve the strength and endurance they need in the trees.
Having a community of arborists who share that enthusiasm pushes everyone to keep getting better. They can learn from one another, practice new techniques, and continually refine their skills.
That improvement carries directly into their work at CVTS-L. The same climbing ability, teamwork, confidence, and attention to technique they develop while training are put to use when they’re caring for trees on our clients’ properties.
A Community That Goes Beyond the Competition
One of our favorite moments from this spring didn’t happen during an event at all.
Luis, one of our newly hired employees, drove three and a half hours just to watch the competition and cheer on his new coworkers.
That says a lot about the community surrounding professional arboriculture and the team we’ve built at CVTS-L.
Our arborists aren’t training together because someone tells them they have to. They do it because they enjoy climbing, care about improving their craft, and want to support the people they work alongside.
A Passion for Trees Our Clients Can See
That enthusiasm isn’t limited to climbing competitions.
Collin recently worked on a large, old oak tree at a client’s property. At first, the homeowner seemed relatively indifferent toward the tree. But Collin couldn’t help sharing his excitement about it. He explained how grand the tree was, talked about its age, and shared how excited he was to have the opportunity to climb and care for it.
As the conversation continued, he could see the homeowner beginning to look at her tree differently and develop a greater appreciation for what she had growing in her yard.
That’s the kind of passion we want our clients to experience.
When someone cares enough about arboriculture to spend their free time climbing, training, and competing, that enthusiasm doesn’t disappear when they arrive at work. They bring it with them to every tree they have the opportunity to care for.
Work With Arborists Who Care About Their Craft
Whether your trees need pruning, professional tree care, or an evaluation, the team at Cumberland Valley Tree Service – Landscaping brings training, experience, and a genuine passion for arboriculture to every property.
Contact CVTS-L today to schedule your tree care service and put that passion to work for your trees.
