Connecticut Tree Climbers Compete

Twenty-three professional tree climbers participated Saturday in the seventh annual Connecticut Tree Climbing Competition on the North Haven Town Green.

“We’ve taken over the Green for the day,” said Don Parrott, an arborist with the Connecticut Tree Protective Association. The association was the “driving force” behind the event, but the International Society of Arboriculture provided insurance coverage, he said.

Parrott said the competitors consisted mostly of employees of tree companies in the state.

“We’re trying to engage the public in what good tree workers do,” he said. “These are the people who trim their trees.”

There were six events: the secured footlock; throwline accuracy; belayed speed climb; work climb; aerial rescue (see video); and master’s challenge, which was the final event.

“We found the aerial rescue event is one that is keenly watched by the public,” Parrott said. And this year was no different as the North Haven Fire Department dropped by in the morning hours to watch the event.

A lot of communication is needed with the judges during the aerial rescue event, competitor Brian Carpenter said. In that event, a dummy is set in a tree and climbers are timed until they bring it to the ground. But along the way climbers must relay information to the judges, including the location of the tree because in a real-life situation an EMT would have to be called.

Carpenter said that he forgot to tell the judges this information. He would however, finish his run to applause and go on to win the overall competition among the men. Bear Scovill was the top woman.