Arborists to go out on a limb
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Don't be alarmed if you see someone dangling from the trees in Blenheim's Pollard Park tomorrow.
Thirty-five professional tree climbers from around the country will be showing off their skills in the national tree-climbing championships.
The top male and female competitors will wear the silver fern at the World Climbing Championships in Chicago next year.
Competition co-organiser David James, of Blenheim, said competitors, all placegetters at regional competitions, would be judged on skills related to their work.
This included branch walking, dropping branches into a landing zone, using a pole saw and an aerial tree rescue, Mr James, the owner of David James Tree Services, said.
Speed events, such as doing a belay climb as quickly as possible, would also be held and should be particularly exciting for spectators, he said.
"It's just pure grunt to get up there."
He encouraged the community to go along and look.
"It's a really good chance to see what we do – and it's all free."
There would be information boards on the grounds explaining each of the events, Mr James said.
Competition begins at 8am near the children's play area and continues until 6pm, but the best action would occur between 9am and 1pm.
The event would take place rain or shine, he said.
"We'll still go ahead if it's wet – you'll just get more action."
No-one from Marlborough is taking part in the competition, but Mr James and one of his staff, Tim Lovejoy, will be involved in judging.
The competition follows the New Zealand Arboricultural Association's annual conference, also taking place in Blenheim.
The conference, which began at the Marlborough Convention Centre yesterday, is being attended by more than 140 association members and guests from Australia and the United States.
Up to 20 experts will speak about a range of topics, including how to make your arboriculture business a success, rediscovering and celebrating heritage trees and even how to turn "angry people into happy customers".
- The Marlborough Express
