Love of Climbing

My name is Bert Kuhn. I am a career “tree man” having started doing tree work in 1977, albeit a relatively short time in the grand scheme. I’ve seen drastic changes in our natural world and increasing advancements in the tree industry. I feel an increasing responsibility to share experiences in our effort to give back to an industry which has provided much along my journey.

Basically, my role for the past 45 years has been that of a tree climbing/cutting production arborist. I’ve always been driven by a deep passion for cranking out tree work. Talk about accountability, arborists are continually immediately accountable for their actions, especially when disassembling trees surrounded by obstacles. Much is at stake, lives, limbs, and property.

I am currently the president of the New Jersey Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (NJISA), which is an active, dynamic and thriving organization whose mission is “to advance the advancement of arboriculture in New Jersey.” What an incredible honor it is to collaboratively lead this extraordinary group of arborists. A continual goal of the NJAISA is to collaborate with other Green Industry partners. We are all connected, achieve greater strength collectively and need to share. There are currently over six hundred members in the chapter including commercial, consulting, municipal, and utility arborists, researchers and educators, horticulturists, and individuals interested in the proper and professional care of trees and landscapes.

This column will be devoted to sharing relevant tree topics of mostly regional significance. When speaking of trees there is no shortage of subject matter. As my current president’s role is an education, the same will hold true for composing for the Gardener News. I will strive to deliver current, relevant information in an interesting manner.

As stated before, the majority of my experiences are from performing hands on arboriculture. The ever changing situations which emerge are one of the tree industry’s true treasures. The continual assessment of and awareness regarding our tasks at hand assures a greater level of success. Monotony in the tree business is rare, and can be averted.

Sometimes it’s simply a matter of switching up tasks.

Which leads into why I really love working in trees - Climbing. A year after beginning tree work, I started climbing. Always being physical, active and athletic I was immediately drawn to it. Rising to meet new challenges continues to stimulate and fully engage my dynamic skills. Today’s climbing arborists are required in most circumstances to be tethered in at all times. This was not the case when I was taught. Nowadays we use throwline to install climbing lines high in the trees canopies. Back then we would free climb untethered to achieve our tie in point. Personal protective equipment or PPE (hard hats, eye & ear protection) was not mandatory. For good reason times have changed!

In the late 70s into the early 80s, we would participate in a “Woodsman’s Competition” at the Flemington Fairgrounds. Events included were a pole climb, pole drop, four-man log carry, hand wood splitting, hand cross cut, power saw speed cut, and a tree climb. Moving forward and into the future, this competition was comprised of a tree climb, aerial rescue, throwline, and a belated speed climb. At this point the tree climbing competition was being hosted and run by the New Jersey Arborists, being members of the National Arborists Association, currently members of the International Society of Arboriculture or ISA. Over the years the competition has seen much change, however the main preliminary events remain. At these annual chapter events, the NJ tree climbing champion is crowned and moves on to represent the chapter at the international tree climbing championship. It is at such events that all involved, from volunteers, competitors and spectators, can gain insight into current techniques, advancements and innovation. Tips, techniques and equipment are readily shared amongst participants, creating a hands-on learning experience for all involved. The spirit of comradery and encouragement at these comps is remarkable and something to behold!

The site of our annual tree climbing championship usually follows the site of our annual Work Day event. This is a massive volunteer event typically held in early December providing chosen entities an incredible value for their tree dollars. The amount of equipment and arborists amassed along with the amount of tree work produced safely at this event is remarkable! Incorporated into this volunteer Work Day is the selection and prep of the trees to be used for our tree climbing competition, which follows on the second weekend of June. Again our chapter’s spirit of seamlessly working together permeates and abounds!

Our premier annual event is the Garden State Tree Conference which is held in March in Atlantic City. This is an incredible educational event which continues to grow and improve, aligning with our vision of “delivering the highest quality Arboricultural education and opportunities for mentoring, networking and advancement.” Through much collective effort our board strives to and delivers an increasingly enhanced event. We are very excited to be expanding this event in 2024!

I hope in reading this you sense my anticipation of great happenings in the near future! The NJAISA is a dynamic and thriving chapter dedicated to improving the tree industry through its dedicated members, along with preserving its rich heritage which built its foundation.

Keep climbing the ladder of knowledge and awareness.

Yours in the trees, Bert.

Editor’s Note: Bert Kuhn is President of the New Jersey Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture and CO/Owner of Action Tree Service (# NJTC768009), based out of Watchung, NJ. He can be reached at 908-756-4100