Hall of Fame: Tree Climbing Championships

Every year, the best arborists and tree climbers in many countries of the world compete to determine the best of their profession in a fair and sporting competition. Smaller national championships qualify for continental and international championships. Who has been able to sign up for the winners’ lists so far?

Lists of winners

• Winners of the German Tree Climbing Championships
• Winners of the French Tree Climbing Championships
• Winners of the European Tree Climbing Championships (ETCC)
• Winners of the International Tree Climbing Championships (ITCC)

German Tree Climbing Championships

German tree climbing championships have been held since 1994. The German section of the International Society of Arnoriculture – ISA Germany e.V. – organizes the competitions at annually changing locations.

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French Tree Climbing Championships

The Rencontres Nationales d’Arboriculture – the French Tree Climbing Championships – have been taking place since 1987. The French chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture – the Société Française d’Arboriculture – is responsible for the organization and realization of the competitions at annually changing locations.

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European Tree Climbing Championships (ETCC)

The European Tree Climbing Championships have been held since 1993. Since 2004 there is also a women’s competition. Organizer is the International Society of Arboriculture.

	Women	Men	Place
2024	–	–	–
2023	Louise Grønbæk	James Kilpatrick	Budmerice
2022	Josephine Hedger	Johan Pihl	Brüssel
2021	—	—	No championship
2020	—	—	No championship
2019	Josephine Hedger	Frits van der Werff	Putbus
2018	Josephine Hedger	Romain Chignardet	Thoiry
2017	Josephine Hedger	Johan Pihl	Deventer
2016	Josephine Hedger	Peter Vergote	Prag
2015	Anja Erni	Matt Glen	Monza
2014	Josephine Hedger	Matt Glen	Swierklaniec
2013	Anja Erni	Roger Tanner	Thun
2012	Anja Erni	Johan Gustavsson	Bernried
2011	Philippa Allen	Giovanni Ugo	Wien
2010	Anja Erni	John Turnbull	Prag
2009	Anja Erni	John Turnbull	Malmö
2008	Philippa Allen	John Turnbull	Turin
2007	Paloma Ziegelmeier	Helmut Schwengels	Brüssel
2006	Paloma Ziegelmeier	Ronny Epple	Nantes
2005	Marlies Laser	Mark Bridge	Kopenhagen
2004	Camille DeMuynck	Mark Bridge	Maastricht
2003	—	Michi Hansch	Westonbirt
2002	—	Patrick Zurcher	Oslo
2001	—	Patrick Zurcher	Moers
2000	—	—	—
1999	—	John Hartill	Valencia
1998	—	Kai Busemann	Merano
1997	—	Kai Busemann	Versailles
1996	—	Laurent Sapin	Lahnstein

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International Tree Climbing Championships (ITCC)

Since 1976, the International Society of Arboriculture has determined the world champion and, since 2001, also the female world champion in tree climbing.

	Women	Men	Place
2024	–	–	Atlanta
2023	Josephine Hedger	Bryce Allen-Hall	Albuquerque
2022	Josephine Hedger	Bryce Allen-Hall	Kopenhagen
2021	—	—	No championship
2020	—	—	No championship
2019	Josephine Hedger	Scott Forrest	Knoxville
2018	Krista Strating	James Kilpatrick	Columbus
2017	Chrissy Spence	James Kilpatrick	Washington
2016	Chrissy Spence	James Kilpatrick	Forth Worth
2015	Jamilee Kempton	James Earhart	Orlando
2014	Josephine Hedger	Scott Forrest	Milwaukee
2013	Nicala Ward-Allen	Scott Forrest	Toronto
2012	Veronika Ericsson	Bernd Strasser	Toronto
2011	Chrissy Spence	Scott Forest	Sidney
2010	Josephine Hedger	Mark Chisholm	Providence
2009	Anja Erni	Jared Abrojena	Chicago
2008	Josephine Hedger	Bernd Strasser	St. Louis
2007	Chrissy Spence	Bernd Strasser	Honolulu
2006	Elena O’Neill	Bernd Strasser	Minneapolis
2005	Chrissy Spence	Dan Kraus	St. Nashville
2004	Kathy Holzer	Bernd Strasser	Pittsburgh
2003	Kiah Martin	Bernd Strasser	Montreal
2002	Wenda Li	Bernd Strasser	Seattle
2001	Christina Engel	Mark Chisholm	Milwaukee
2000	—	Bernd Strasser	Baltimore
1999	—	Bernd Strasser	Stamford
1998	—	Michael Cotter	Birmingham
1997	—	Mark Chisholm	Salt Lake City
1996	—	Rip Tompkins	Cleveland
1995	—	Ken Palmer	Hilton Head
1994	—	Jim Harris	Halifax
1993	—	Ken Palmer	Bismarck
1992	—	Bob Weber	Oakland
1991	—	Ken Palmer	Philadelphia
1990	—	Greg Clemens	Toronto
1989	—	Bob Weber	St. Charles
1988	—	—	Vancouver
1987	—	—	Keystone
1986	—	Craig Cutler	San Antonio
1985	—	Steve Bannan	Milwaukee
1984	—	Rick Husband	Quebec
1983	—	Bob Maltby	Indianapolis
1982	—	Bob Hunter	Louisville
1981	—	Bob Hunter	Boyne Falls
1980	—	Paul Harlow	Hartford
1979	—	Sam Noonan	San Diego
1978	—	Sam Noonan	Toronto
1977	—	Tom Smith	Philadelphia
1976	—	Tom Gosnell	St. Louis

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