Tree-climbing experts to battle for state title at Morton Arboretum

Norm Hall, an avid tree-climbing enthusiast and arborist, enjoyed competing for more than a decade in Illinois' annual tree-climbing championship.

Now the event's chairman, he's hoping for sunshine today so the event won't be rained out for a second year in a row.

Weather permitting, the Illinois Arborist Association Tree-Climbing Championship will run from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the oaks collection at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle.

The winner will represent the state at next month's International Tree-Climbing Championship in St. Louis.

The competition is divided by gender with the top finishers winning $1,100.

Hall used to compete in the contest during the 1970s. He won the event in 1979 and has never lost his passion for it. He's been chairman of the championship for more than 10 years.

It was his decision to bring the tree-climb to the arboretum.

"We have these competitions at parks, park districts, at forest preserve districts, and (now) the arboretum," Hall said. "The arboretum has some nice mature trees to use. Tall trees. Some that are spread out. Two of the events have a 50-foot climb."

So far, there will be 26 men and one woman competing today. The competition features five events using five different trees with different situations and scenarios on each.

All of the events require a certain skill-set. Three, however, involve some special daring.

The Work Climb requires contestants to start at the top of a tree and advance to four stations spread out on lateral limbs.

Then there's the Aerial Rescue Event, where arborists simulate an incapacitated worker in a tree, and the competitor has to assess the tree situation as well as the victim, and then get them down safely.

There's also the Secured Foot-Lock, in which a climber travels up a 50-foot rope using just his or her feet.

"It's very difficult and requires a lot of technique," Hall said.

Diana Fischer-Woods, special events coordinator at the arboretum, believes the event is a rare opportunity to see arborists do jobs that are usually unseen by much of community.

"I think it's a chance to see an event that is very unusual," she said. "It's very exciting and interesting to see these arborists climb and move around these trees."

This is the second time the arboretum is hosting the Tree-Climb, with the first taking place in 2006. Fischer-Woods estimated about 300 people attended the inaugural event.

Last year's event at Randall Oaks in West Dundee was rained out.

If you go

What: Illinois Aborist Association Tree-Climbing Championship

Where: The oaks section at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle

When: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. today

Cost: $45 for any arborist to compete; free to view with arboretum admission

Info: www.mortonarb.org or (630) 971-0074