Tree climbing as a sport? How arborists turn this skill into a profession

PUTRAJAYA — For many Malaysians tree climbing is often associated with childhood adventures in the village, but beyond nostalgia, tree climbing is also a recognised sport and an essential skill for arborists — professionals dedicated to tree care and maintenance.

Malaysian Society of Arborist (PArM) vice president Puteri Noorlela Bahrun highlighted the organisation’s role in tree care and conservation, ensuring trees are maintained using proper methods rather than being cut indiscriminately.

She explained that its members are specialists in arboriculture, with expertise in tree inspections, health assessments and sustainable management practices.

Puteri, who is also the Malaysian Tree Climbing Championship (MTCC) chairman, emphasised that arborists play a crucial role in maintaining trees within urban environments, focusing on their health and longevity.

They generally fall into two categories: consultants, who evaluate and provide reports on tree conditions; and tree climbers, who carry out pruning and maintenance using industry best practices.

Speaking to Sinar Daily during the recent MTCC 2025 event, she said: "One of our key initiatives is the MTCC, a professional competition that brings together full-time and part-time tree climbers from across the country. MTCC serves as both a competitive event and a platform for arborists to exchange knowledge, refine their skills and foster a strong community.

"It provides climbers — whether newcomers or seasoned professionals — the opportunity to observe, learn and challenge themselves among peers.

"The championship also has an international reach, welcoming participants from across the Asia-Pacific region, including Hong Kong, Thailand, Macau, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and Taiwan."

Puteri stressed that this exchange of expertise allows Malaysian climbers to gain insights into diverse climbing techniques, technologies and industry advancements, fostering collaboration and a shared commitment to arboriculture excellence.

She also pointed out that MTCC is an industry-level competition, not open to amateurs or casual enthusiasts.

"Unlike mainstream sports like football or badminton, tree climbing requires extensive training, with participants dedicating at least a year to mastering technical skills.

"Beyond physical fitness and stamina, climbers must learn to handle specialised equipment, such as harnesses and climbing gear and understand the intricacies of arboriculture. It is not an activity one can simply sign up for without proper preparation," she added.

In urban settings, Puteri stressed the vital role of arborists in tree preservation, guiding decisions on whether a tree should be removed or conserved.

When preservation is the priority, she explained, they develop comprehensive maintenance strategies, especially in development zones where trees need additional care.

"Simply leaving a tree untouched during construction is insufficient, as activities such as excavation and heavy machinery use can damage roots and branches, leading to long-term decline.

"Arborists guide clients on mitigation measures, the establishment of tree protection zones and best practices to ensure trees remain healthy post-construction," she said.

MTCC 2025 took place from Feb 21 to Feb 23, at Taman Putra Perdana, Putrajaya. Organised by PArM, the event received strategic support from Putrajaya Corporation and backing from the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS).

MTCC 2025 brought together 46 participants from various countries, including Japan, Taiwan, Macau, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia. These competitors took part in five preliminary events designed to test their climbing skills and safety techniques.

Participants with the highest accumulated scores advanced to the final round, known as the Masters' Challenge Event, where the overall champion was determined.

Beyond the competition, the championship aimed to highlight the expertise of professional arborists and increase public awareness of tree preservation and environmental conservation.