Prairie tree climbers compete for top spot in the west

The best tree climbers in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta are competing this weekend atSaskatoon's Ashworth Holmes Park.

This is the second time in 22 years that the city has hosted theannual Prairie Tree Climbing Championship for the Prairie Chapter of the International Society ofArboriculture a professional group of people who work primarily with trees.

"There is a high degree of adrenaline here," saidGerardFournier,Chair of the Prairie Chapter Tree Climbing Competition.

Fournier is a certifiedMasterArboristwho works as a journeyman landscape gardener and as the acting president at For Trees tree company in Alberta. He is one of the seniorarboristswho oversees this weekend's competition.

Not for the faint of heart

Fournierexplained that while a basic love of nature is needed to be in the industry, it is not for the faint of heart.

"People who arearboriststend to thrive on, you know, dangerous situations and high-stakes, risky occupations," saidFournier.

Known fondly by some as "tree surgeons" arborists study the management, cultivation, distribution and characteristics of tree life acrossCanada and the world.

KaliAlcornis one of two femalearboristscompeting in the weekend's challenges.Alcorngot her start climbing while working forFournier at For Trees.

"I just fell in love with climbing, and it keeps you fit, and it is so fun,"Alcornsaid.

Alcornadmitted the thrill of being up high in a tree with a job to do is what drew her to the intensive profession.

"I don't know what it is, I just love chainsaws. I don't like cutting trees all the time ... but I would rather see a tree pruned than removed."

More than two-dozen arboriculturists, more commonly known as arborists, from across the three provinces have come to Saskatoon for the event.

This weekend, the tree climbing competition has the contestantstesting their skills in:

• Work climb: Contestants climb to five stations in a tree, performing a different task at each station.

• Aerial rescue: Contestants reach and safely lower an injured climber (actually a life-sized mannequin).

• Throwline: Tests contestants' ability to accurately place lines 9 to 18 metresup in a tree.

• Belayed speed climb: Contestants ascend a predetermined route from the ground to about 18 metres.

• Secured Footlock: Measures climber's ability to perform 12to 15 metre vertical ascent using double-climbing line.

On Sunday the Master's Challenge will begin wherethe top arborists from the weekend square off for the best male and female ranking.

The twohighest rankingarborists to leave the competitionwill make theirwayto Orlando, Florida, next year to compete against the world's best climbers.