Monte Cecilia Park, Hillsborough, Auckland is the site for the 6th Annual Asia-Pacific Tree Climbing Championship (APTCC), sponsored by Treescape. The competition, to be held on March 16 will showcase the best professional tree climbers from Australia and New Zealand as well as other countries.  Among those competing are New Zealand’s Scott Forrest, the 2011 world champion and Veronika Ericsson, the current women’s world champion.

Preliminary events for the APTCC will begin on Saturday at 9:00 am followed by the final championship round. The finals, known as the Masters’ Challenge, will begin at approximately 2:00 pm. This unique event is part of the International Society of Arboriculture’s (ISA) Tree Climbing Championship Series and is hosted by the New Zealand Arboricultural Association, a chapter of the ISA.

The APTCC provides a competitive but educational opportunity for working arborists in the Asia Pacific region to demonstrate and exchange new climbing techniques, equipment and safe work practices. The competition also provides positive public exposure for the profession, demonstrating how professional arborists properly care for trees.

The APTCC follows rules established by ISA and includes events that test a competitor's ability to professionally, and safely maneuver in a tree while performing work-related tree-care tasks in a timely manner. Male and female competitors compete in five different timed events during the preliminary round.

Those with the highest scores from the preliminary events will compete in the Masters’ Challenge. The champions (one male and one female) of the APTCC will earn the honour of competing at the International Tree Climbing Championships (ITCC) of the ISA to be held August 3-4 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The venue for the event is one of Auckland’s premier parks.   Monte Cecilia contains one of the best collections of mature exotic trees in Auckland, providing a spectacular and challenging setting for the competitors.  The Park is also the site of the historic Pah Homestead, recently restored and home to the Wallace Arts Centre.  All together, the event is a great opportunity to watch some of the best in the world at their chosen sport while discovering one of Auckland’s best kept secrets.

The event is supported by principle sponsor Treescape Limited, as well as Asplundh, Husqvarna, Treetools, Thoughtplanters, Franklin Tree Services  and Auckland Council.  The sponsors help provide equipment for the event, as well as prizes and awards for event winners and the champions.

For a complete schedule of events and to learn more about the Asia-Pacific Tree Climbing Championships visit http://www.itcc-isa.com/events/regional/aptcc/aptcc.aspx.

About ISA

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, which fulfills the association’s mission to help educate the public about the importance and value of proper tree care. 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 and Certified Arborists, visit isa-arbor.com.

About New Zealand Arboricultural Association

The New Zealand Arboricultural Association (NZ Arb) was created in 1989 in response to a growing demand for the formation of a national body to represent professional and non-professional people involved in New Zealand tree care.

In 1996, NZ Arb joined the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) to become its 32nd Chapter. The New Zealand Arboricultural Association is proud to foster the mission of the ISA; Through research, technology and education, promote the professional practice of arboriculture and foster a greater public awareness of the benefits of trees. For more information on NZ Arb visit nzarb.org.nz.