Safety, Skill, & Speed Take Center Stage at ArborSPORTS ™ Debut By ArborTIMES™
Despite the competitive atmosphere, the true win, as organizers emphasized, was in bringing a new level of public visibility and professionalism to the field of arboriculture. RAISING THE BAR FOR TREE CARE Ed Carpenter, director of operations at NATS and the head MC and judge for the event, sees ArborSPORTS™ as more than just a spectacle. For him, it is about redefining public perception and reinforcing the industry’s standards. “The ultimate goal of ArborSPORTS™ is to really have the general public who’s purchasing tree care services from tree care professionals to look at us as a profession, to look at us as skilled trade workers,” Carpenter said. In an industry where safety records can easily fall off the radar, the event provided a controlled yet realistic environment to reinforce best practices. “The tree care industry has not had a great track record of safety,” Carpenter added. “So, the fact that we have folks coming in teams... and being able to compete in a head-to-head environment, both inside and outside, it’s just great.” Indeed, the event was a showcase of technical excellence — but also an educational opportunity. Carpenter noted that while some safety violations did occur during the
The inaugural ArborSPORTS™ competition made a thrilling debut at ArborEXPO™ ’25 , electrifying the show floor with sawdust, sweat, and the unmistakable camaraderie of the tree care profession. In partnership with North American Training Solutions (NATS), the event brought teams of arborists into a high-energy, head-to-head arena where precision, safety, and team- work were tested in fast-paced challenges. From chainsaw finesse to technical rigging mastery, ArborSPORTS™ was designed to showcase not just in- dividual talent but the vital coordination and safety protocols that define professional crews. Over two days of action, top-performing teams demonstrated what the future of tree care looks like — skilled, efficient, and deeply focused on doing the job right. WINNERS WHO ROSE ABOVE The event culminated in two standout victories: Thursday, March 27: Gap Arborist Supply’s Avery Shar- pless and Chris Kinsey, representing John B Ward & Co Tree Experts, clinched the win with a final time of 3 min- utes, 37 seconds. Friday, March 28: Adam Hilton and Richard Cleary of Clear Choice Tree Service took top honors, posting an impressive 2 minutes, 59 seconds in the finals.
36 | Spring 2025 ArborTIMES ™
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