2010 ITCC Results

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

Two World Champion Tree Climbers Reclaim Their Titles

CHAMPAIGN, IL (August, 2010) - Two veteran tree climbers emerged on top at the International Tree Climbing Competition (ITCC) presented by the Davey Tree Expert Co. The event held Sunday, July 25 at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL brought together professional tree climbers from 15 countries to compete for the title of World Champion. A total of 54 competitors came together from as far away as Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and countries throughout Europe for the event.

Mark Chisholm of Freehold, NJ won the title of 2010 ITCC Men’s World Champion. This was year 20 for Chisholm competing at the international competition. He has twice before won the title of World Champion in 1997 and 2001 and currently still holds a competition world record in one of the events. Chisholm is co-owner and director of field operations for Aspen Tree Expert Company.

Another past champion, Josephine Hedger of the United Kingdom, earned the title of Women’s World Champion. Hedger, who was also women’s champion in 2008, runs her own tree care company and works as an arborist instructor.

The event was organized by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and hosted by The Illinois Arborist Association. Regional competitions are held around the world by chapters of the ISA and other arboriculture associations. Competitors earn the opportunity to represent their chapter at the international event. The ITCC is held annually in conjunction with the ISA’s annual conference. This was the 34th international competition.

The tree climbing competitions demonstrate the working conditions of professional arborists who work in the trees. The event provides a learning environment for those involved as they demonstrate and develop their professional skills and practice safe techniques. “The ITCC provides a great opportunity for arborists from around the world to learn about new techniques and equipment from one another,” says Jim Skiera, Executive Director of ISA. “Competitive tree climbing also introduces the public to the skills professional tree climbing arborists must use for safe, professional tree work.”

Competitors competed in five separate preliminary qualifying events in which the top three scorers were awarded medals and cash prizes. The top overall scorers (four men and three women) then moved on to the Masters’ Challenge Finals. The male and female world champions received cash prizes, chainsaws, champion belt buckles and plaques, as well as other prizes. They also earned the privilege of returning in 2011 to defend their title at the international championship to be held in Sydney, Australia on July 23 and 24.

For more information on the ITCC, and for complete results visit http://itcc.isa-arbor.com.

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), headquartered in Champaign, Ill., is a nonprofit organization supporting tree care research and education around the world. To promote the importance of arboriculture, ISA manages the consumer education web site, www.treesaregood.org. Also, as part of ISA’s dedication to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees, it offers the only internationally-recognized certification program in the industry. For more information on ISA, Certified Arborists, and the International Tree Climbing Championship, visit www.isa-arbor.com.