As the resident Horticulturist in RSGC, actively involved in Arboriculture courses and training all year round. Climbing trees is one part of the course. In Malaysia, tree climbing is not a recent activity. A series of training sessions had been introduced to tree climbing for the tree work. When trees are inaccessible to Mobile Elevation Work Platforms (MEWP) including cranes, sky lifts, and boom lifts, especially on the golf course, the access would have been reached using tree climbing.
Most tree climbers in Malaysia are engaged in recreational activities, tree maintenance, academic study, installation labour and becoming certified Arborists. Recently, Malaysia provided training for tree workers to meet the need for qualified labour in the industry. Tree climbing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is very dynamic with new innovations in line with the evolution of tree climbing techniques from manual to advanced systems. To protect the safety of tree climbers, tree workers must become proficient in step-bystep tree climbing before beginning any work on trees. They must also use the appropriate equipment for the right tasks.
The annual tree climbing competition, Malaysia Tree Climbing Competition 2023 (MTCC) was held in Malaysia and organize by Persatuan Arborist Malaysia (PArM) and Perbadanan Putrajaya as coorganizer in September at Taman Putra Perdana proves the tree climber in Malaysia are talented and skilled climbers and we are ready professionally on the tree work industry. They have been tested for five several events including.
THROWLINE
The throwline event tests the competitor’s ability to accurately place a climbing line at tree heights up to 60 feet.
BELAYED SPEED CLIMB
It tests the climber’s ability to climb a predetermined route from the ground to about 60 feet up a tree using a belay climbing system for safety.
ASCENT
The Ascent Events tests the competitor’s ability to use their selected and approved ascent system efficiently and safely.
WORK CLIMB
The Work Climb Event tests the contestant’s ability to move about the tree. Within a pre-determined period of time, the contestants must visit four to five stations, placed throughout the tree. The various stations in this event represent work being done in and around the tree, such as pruning. Each station requires the contestant to demonstrate the skills and abilities needed to perform safe and efficient tree work.
AERIAL RESCUE
The Aerial Rescue event is a timed event that tests the climber’s ability to climb to and safely lower an injured climber who is unable to descend without assistance.
The Asia Pacific Tree Climbing Championship (APTCC) provides a competitive but educational opportunity for working arborists in the Asia Pacific region to demonstrate and exchange new climbing techniques and equipment, as well as safe work practices. The APTCC also increases the interaction between various firms, ISA chapters, Associate Organizations, and members, and provides positive public exposure for the profession in that region of the world. The event is managed by the Asia Pacific Tree Climbing Championship Operations Committee. The winners of this event represent the Asia-Pacific region at the annual International Tree Climbing Championship.
APTCC 2023 was hosted by Singapore and having a chance to observe skilled 2023 APTCC CHAMPIONS, Jamie Boston (Queensland Arboricultural Association) and Steph Dryfhout (New Zealand Arboricultural Association). Surprisingly, APTCC 2024 will be hosted by and in partnership with Persatuan Arborist Malaysia (PArM), an ISA Host Chapter at Royal Pahang Golf Club on Friday, 26 April – Sunday, 28 April 2024. Let’s be part of the event to observe skilled climbers from the Asia Pacific Region climbing trees at the golf club and witness the tree work industry moving forward. We look forward to seeing you at the event.
For further inquiries or information, please do not hesitate to contact your horticulturist at nur.farizaa@rsgc.com.my.
