International Tree Climbing Championship Celebrates 50th Anniversary in St. Louis

Nearly 100 arborists participated in the International Tree Climbing Championship held in a St. Louis park from October 7-9, 2026. The event marked the competition's 50th anniversary, with contestants from 22 countries demonstrating their tree-climbing skills.

The championship featured several events, including the belayed speed climb, aerial rescue, work climb, ascent, and throwline. During the belayed speed climb, competitors raced to the treetops, cheered on by fellow participants. The aerial rescue event required arborists to navigate through branches to locate a dummy, while spectators watched from below.

E.J. Turner, a third-generation climber and winner of five Midwest chapter competitions, highlighted the work climb as his favorite event. This segment simulates professional arborist tasks, where participants climb 80- to 100-foot trees, ring bells on branches to represent cuts, and are judged on speed, route planning, and poise. Turner described the event as physically demanding yet exhilarating, comparing it to "being a kid."

Caitlyn Pollihan, CEO of the nonprofit International Society of Arboriculture, which organizes the event, stated that the championship showcases the daily work of arborists. The competition included 52 men and 39 women, many of whom have prior competitive experience against one another. Pollihan noted the strong sense of camaraderie among the participants.

The International Tree Climbing Championship was first held in St. Louis in 1976. The decision to return the 50th-anniversary event to the same city was made to honor its origins. Organizers planned commemorative speeches and distributed keepsakes to mark the significant milestone.