The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Kent arborist wins championship
On Saturday June 3, Kent arborist Russell Plumb won the 2017 New England Tree Climbing Championship in Capron Park, Attleboro, MA.
The New England Master’s Challenge Invitational Tree Climbing Championship is presented by the New England Chapter of International Society of Arboriculture (NEC-ISA), and brings together the region’s most skilled climbers. Competitors are judged on their knowledge and ability to demonstrate effective climbing techniques, safe work practices, use of equipment, and poise in the tree. They are given 20 minutes to enter the tree, perform a series of tasks at work stations, and descend safely to the ground.
This year, Russell was the only competitor to complete all four tasks and descend to the ground within the time limit. His climb was described as “virtually flawless”. As the 2017 New England Champion, he now qualifies for the the North American Tree Climbing Championship, to be held in Salt Lake City Utah in October.
Russell and his wife Emma operate a tree care firm out of South Kent called Sawing High Climbers, LLC. Russell is an ISA Certified Arborist (NE-6781A), a CTLicensed Arborist (S-6243), and an NPTC-qualified arborist (UK) with 22 years’ experience. He is a Certified Treecare Safety Professional (02439) with the Tree Care Industry Association and also holds EHAP certification (Electrical Hazards Awareness Program) with TCIA, confirming his knowledge of electrical hazards and the special techniques used to work safely near electrical conductors. He is ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified, a credential which demonstrates that he is qualified to provide tree owners with the necessary information to make informed decisions to enhance tree benefits, health, and longevity. And he is CPR & First Aid certified (American Heart Association, 2015).
Russell began his career as a tree surgeon in England where he quickly gained recognition for his skills, leading to jobs caring for trees at manor houses and stately homes across the country and at landmarks throughout London. He climbed his way along London’s Park Lane as well as along the Thames river embankment, pruning trees outside the Royal Hospital, the Tate Britain museum, and the Houses of Parliament.
He’s since climbed trees all over the world, including in Germany, Sweden, Norway, Bermuda, and Canada. In his travels he’s looked after trees at the gravesites of Greta Garbo and Alfred Nobel in Stockholm, helped preserve the Hollow Tree in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, and pruned a banyan tree half the size of a soccer field along Bermuda’s historic railway trail. Suite 2-240, Hartford, CT. 06106.