There are five events at these competitions that are directly related to the every day tree work that you can usually observe us doing in your own yard and trees. They are as follows: Throw Line, Belayed Speed Climb, Secured Foot Lock, Work Climb and Aerial Rescue. The three highest scoring competitors will go on to compete in what  is called the Master’s Challenge.

The Throw Line event judges how accurately one can hit different target zones. They range from 40 to 60 feet high throughout the canopy of the tree. Competitors have to hit these targets by swinging a small weight attached to a “diameter line” by hand which is then used to secure climbing liners (the ropes that climbers use to pull themselves up into the tree).

The Belayed Speed Climb is a timed climb! We have to try to fly up 60 feet of tree as fast as monkeys using either the rope or tree itself. That one is fun to watch!

The Secured Foot Lock is a seriously physically challenging event. It’s a timed 49 foot climb in free space. That means that we have to pull ourselves up a rope, without any assistance, as fast as we can. Like in gym class! The world record for this is 13.65 seconds. That may not sound impressive but that is a vertical ascent of 23.5 feet per second! Geez-louise!

The Work Climb is designed to simulate a job task, like pruning, throughout the canopy of a tree. The climber’s are judged on speed, safety and efficiency.

The Aerial Rescue is another crowd favorite because it presents a dramatic situation in which a climber has been gravely injured and must be rescued! The competitor has to rush up there and bring them down safely so that medical personnel can begin treatment. This event displays the creativity and dedicated drive that tree climbers embody, especially in emergency preparedness.

The Master’s Challenge tests the climber’s ability to assess the tree, install a climbing line from the ground, enter the tree, and make it to several work zones positioned throughout the canopy of the tree. This event has a time limit BUT the fastest time does not always win. Criteria like safety, ingenuity, preparedness and skill are where all the points are racked up. Points can be deducted, too, for unsafe work practices, poor time management, multiple attempts at a target and a variety of other crucial aspects.

I would like to congratulate Aqualina Amador on his victory in this year’s competition.  It was a fun-filled day with climbers from as far as Maryland participating.  Every person that competed in this event walked away with a new skill or idea that furthers safety, efficiency and overall professionalism.  Once again, congrats Aqualina, I’ll get you next year.

By: Joe Giansante

Register now for the FREE Growers Success Summit 2012!

Download (PDF, 1.29MB)

Ruel Jones

While I always hoped I’d be in the international banking business, I found my niche in nature, though ironically there are similarities.
Understanding how a plant operates is the key component to providing proper year-round care, much the same as with operating a successful business.
A tree is like a company, which has employees both below ground (roots) and above ground (leaves), and both play vital roles. A tree stores money (energy) in its fibers and cells just like a company does with a savings or checking account. In the spring this living, breathing company uses last year’s stored savings to build new leaves, or what we might call next year’s “employees” for the growing season. All winter long this plant was spend-ing money on root development to support the group of employees that will soon be coming on. After the leaves are built, they are now ready to start making money for the company to use in a new growth development season, while at the same time, of course, refilling the savings account now low due to all the money the company spent developing the current roots and leaves.
That is basically how a plant works. The leaves support the roots and the roots sup-port the leaves in a symbiotic relationship. The margin or profit from these two groups of employees is what the company uses each year for new growth.
Improper pruning or care of your trees and plants can cause them to dig further down into their “savings account” and spend more money to create additional leaves to do necessary work. The plant knows that without the proper amount of leaves doing the job and making money, the company will soon be filling Chapter 7.
So in the end, though the company’s name is Quality Tree Surgery, some might con-sider us in the financial and banking business for trees!

Steve Cooley

The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) announces that Steve Cooley of Quality Tree Surgery, Inc.,  in Nashville, Tennessee, has earned the Landscape Industry Certified Horticultural Technician and is now nationally certified.

Candidates pass two extensive exams covering the care of trees and shrubs in residential and commercial landscapes.  Those achieving this certification have expertise in a wide selection of plants used in area landscapes and can recognize pest problems and other factors that stress ornamental foliage.  Successful candidates understand the need to carefully observe foliage for the subtle signs that signal a situation to be controlled before it becomes overwhelming or uncontrollable.

Certification enhances an individual’s professionalism, demonstrates a sense of personal achievement, and increases respect and recognition in the profession.

Prepare for the Holidays

What a relief!  With the last two scorching summers that seriously had me questioning my profession, this cooler version in ‘09 was a big relief to say the least. My

anticipation for fall is still calling, but nothing compared to ‘07 and ‘08.

While enjoying the cooler weather, fall colors  and tailgating, keep in mind there is no better  time to plant than in the fall. Tree and shrub roots are working all winter long while the rest of the plant is dormant. This allows the plant more time to get established,  improving survival rate and speed of growth.

Fall and winter is also a great time to touch up your mulch and give the shrubs one last trim-up. Although we can’t make your favorite team win, we can help your yard look good for the holidays. Go ahead and get on the schedule early, and GO VOLS!!!

By: Jesse Ragan

By Joe Giansante

Winter Tree Care

Larry Loiseau/Certified Arborist