Tree climbing, arborist profession remains largely unknown in Malaysia

PUTRAJAYA - Despite being globally recognised as a skilled profession, tree climbing and arboriculture remain relatively unknown in Malaysia.

Malaysian Society of Arborist (PArM) vice president Puteri Noorlela Bahrun highlighted that many Malaysians have little awareness of MTCC, often linking tree climbing to 'coconut harvesting', rather than recognising it as a professional skill.

In her role at PArM, she is committed to reshaping this perception and promoting arboriculture as a respected and growing career field.

"Despite its global recognition as a skilled profession, tree climbing remains relatively unknown in Malaysia. Many MTCC participants have transitioned into professional roles, securing jobs in tree pruning and maintenance.

"The demand for skilled climbers is rising, yet the number of certified professionals remains low.

"While some trees can be accessed using sky lifts or cranes, many in narrow spaces, slopes or densely packed areas require expert climbers to ensure safe and effective maintenance," she said.

To bridge this gap, Puteri who is also the Malaysian Tree Climbing Championship (MTCC) chairman, highlighted that PArM has been working closely with the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS), a key partner in engaging young Malaysians.

The aim is to promote tree climbing not just as an exhilarating sport, but also as a rewarding career opportunity.

"Although physically demanding, the profession offers competitive pay that reflects the skill and risk involved.

"By promoting arboriculture, we hope to inspire more young people to explore opportunities in this field and help bridge Malaysia's shortage of skilled tree maintenance professionals," she added.

Compared to countries like the United States, where arboriculture has been established for over a century, Puteri pointed out that Malaysia is still in the early stages of adoption, with the field gaining traction over the past two decades.

However, she added that awareness is growing, and organisations like PArM are receiving greater recognition.

"Authorities such as Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Sepang, Putrajaya and others, now acknowledge the role of arborists. When developers or individuals request tree removal, municipal councils consult arborists for proper assessments.

"It is not just government bodies — individual property owners and companies with trees on their premises also seek expert evaluations.

"Arborists diagnose tree health issues much like doctors examining patients, interpreting visible signs and symptoms to determine necessary treatments," she said.

This year's MTCC 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 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.

The 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.