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Participants of facilitated tree climbing experiences have the opportunity to climb tall, mature trees in a similar fashion to professional tree climbers. To make this possible, facilitated programs utilize specialized professional equipment, with one of the key pieces being the saddle (harness). Tree climbing saddles tend to have more substantial straps & padding for the legs when compared to fall arrest & rock-climbing harnesses. Since participants in facilitated climbs are often suspended & sitting in saddle for longer periods of time than what a professional climber may experience, leg straps with even more surface area can be better suited in order to reduce suspension fatigue. WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER For those of us in the international community of tree climbing facilitators who provide these experiences, many of us have relied heavily if not exclusively on the New Tribe line of climbing saddles. Their line offered a variety of saddle models across a wide range of waist sizes, such as the Basic, Twist and Tengu saddles. In the search to find tree climbing saddles better suited for participants in facilitated climbing programs, I have pulled in and tried over a dozen different saddles & harnesses since learning New Tribe would be closing down a few years back. Tree climbing facilitators, organizations, and programs around the world have been reaching out and communicating with each other as we look for different options available to us. In addition, serving on the board of directors with the Global Organization of Tree Climbers and chairing their facilitator/instructor recognition committee, I have had a number of conversations with facilitators around the world. SHARING MY EXPERIENCES Having wrapped up my spring climbing season and taking a short vacation before the summer season kicks in, I have gathered my notes and observations of a few of the saddles that may hold promise for my programs. I am putting these into short video reviews of saddles that seem to generate the most interest from my facilitation friends, clients, and colleagues. Given each facilitator’s preferences and needs are different, I focus more on pointing out the aspects and details of the saddles as well as how they may be similar or differ from comparable New Tribe models simply to provide points of reference. If you have your own experience with these saddles or others, I'd love to hear your thoughts, impressions, and opinions. For my programs, it looks like I will be utilizing 1-2 brands/models for each size range; therefore, I certainly welcome and appreciate any saddle recommendations you may have. Wishing all of my fellow tree climbing facilitators & instructors an enjoyable 2025 climbing season! "Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing."
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The text came in just before 11:00am, "another owlet needs renesting. Are you free today?” A great horned owlet had recently fallen from its nest. The homeowner had found the little one sheltered near the base of the eastern white pine, its nest 45 feet above. Concerned for its wellbeing and aware of the Wildlife in Need Center (www.helpingwildlife.org) in Oconomowoc, the homeowner called to report the fallen owlet. Their staff was onsite as soon as they could to rescue the owlet and get it out of harm’s way. Predators like eagles, hawks, foxes, racoons, and cats are common in our area. In addition, the sooner the owlet can be renested the better the chance they’ll receive the necessary care and protection from their parents.  Cleared For Renesting Once the Wildlife In Need Center (WINC) has the owlets in their care, they can perform health checks such as looking for possible injuries, rodenticide poisoning, and any other health concerns. With a clean bill of health, they are cleared to be returned to the nest. This is where wildlife centers utilize the services of skilled tree climbers who are willing to donate their time and skills to get the owlets back where they belong. That day was a scheduled office day for me, so I could respond to their call as soon as the request came in. Having climbed the day before, my gear was still in the back of my car. All we needed to do was set a time to meet at the tree, me with my gear and them with the owlet.  WINC staff explains process of securing nest basket Taking the First Step A few years back, a climbing friend had mentioned he was renesting owls. Looking through his photos & videos and listening to his stories was very intriguing. He gave me the details of how I might be able to get involved, but I didn't see enough free time in my schedule to where I could be as responsive as they'd need. Fast forward to last month, I got a call from another climbing buddy whom I had passed that information along to. He was headed to re-nest 2 fallen owlets, less than a mile from my office. Being that close, I couldn’t resist the opportunity so I readjusted my schedule to meet them onsite. While assisting my friend on that renest, I had the opportunity to talk with the WINC staff to learn more about their cause and services. I was surprised to hear that they had a very short list of volunteer climbers. After seeing the owlets and playing a small role in their renesting, I felt inspired and compelled to finally get on their list.  Starting the Climb Having a few calls under my belt, I had a general idea of what to expect with the task at hand once I replied to the text. We’ll meet at the property, I’ll climb up to install a sturdy nest basket, then hoist the owlet up and place it in the nest. A straight forward plan. Apparently great horned owl nests often consist of a few twigs laid over a couple branches right next to the trunk. The ones I have seen are not like what I envisioned them to be (I had assumed they'd be like a robin’s nest just large). I've only seen a couple, but now describe them more as a small, skimpy platform. This is partly why renesting involves installing a sturdy basket where they’ll be less likely to fall again. Making my way up to the old nest at the top of the tree, I was greeted by a 2nd owlet still in the nest! “I bet you’re wondering, what the heck is this guy doing up here”, I said out loud as if it could understand. Only one had fallen…or was possibly nudged off the nest given it would have been a little crowded for two. Time for a contingency plan.
 Pulling up an owlet for renesting Onto Plan B The WINC staff was prepared with a few sizes of nest baskets, so they prepared a basket for two. I altered my approach so as to avoid scaring this 2nd owlet off the back side of the nest. At the same time, I worked my way into a position where I could gather it and send it to the ground to be checked out. While the caretakers on the ground performed their well-being check, I was able to find a suitable place for the basket and secure it to the tree. With the basket installed in close proximity to the original nest, it was time to bring both back up to their new home one at a time. I can only imagine how stressful and disorienting it might be to them. They are placed in an enclosed bucket which I then pull up to me. Opening the lid, their view of the outside world is my face, followed closely by my hands coming in to lift them out. Once returned to the tree, it was time to let the excitement of their day begin to fade into the past. I bid them good day and began my descent.  Make Every Interaction Count With my previous renesting, one of the adults was nearby the entire time I worked to replace its 3 babies. At one time it had flown into the top of a tree 20 feet away, squawking the entire time given I was messing with the nest and babies. We did not see nor hear either of the adults during this day's renesting, so were unsure if it was going to be successful. I received a text the next morning, letting me know that the homeowner had confirmed one of the adults returned and was on the nest! Hearing of the family being reunited triggered a flush of emotion. I was reminded of The Tale of the Starfish – “You can’t begin to save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference.” After listening politely, the child bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, said, “I made a difference for that one.” Every Little Bit Helps There are a number of organizations and centers that work to rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife. The goal is often to return healthy individuals back to their natural habitat. These animals are an important part the ecosystem. If you live in an urban area, you likely see them as beneficial considering an adult owl can eat over 1,000 rodents (rats & mice) per year! There are many ways to support an organization closer to you – become a member, volunteer, donate. Contact your local center/organization & see what you can do! These 2 owlets were renested on April 4th. I'd like to think they are saying, "thanks, Curt!" UPDATE: April 28, 2025 The property owner has shared that both owlets are doing well & will be ready to fly from the nest in the coming days!  Have you planned travels around visiting a specific tree? Did your interest perk up when Treebeard and the ents were first introduced in the Lord of the Rings? Have you ever wondered about seemingly futile facts such as what pine tree has the largest or heaviest pinecone? If you answer yes to any of these questions, you might be a dendropohile...or nemophilist...or maybe you simply refer to yourself as a tree nerd or tree nut. Playing trivia games doesn't typically interest me, but I do enjoy learning about unique trees and other trivial pieces of information related to trees and forests. Here are a few notes from my journal of interesting trees and tidbits I’ve collected over the years.  DEEPEST TREE ROOTS You are likely familiar with tap roots, but do you know that most trees with tap roots only utilize them during establishment. As the tree grows, it develops a more wide-spreading, fibrous root system which is better capable of providing structural support to keep the tree upright and for nutrient & water absorption. (see illustration below) Most of a trees’ roots are located within the top 3 feet of soil. The vast majority of these (90%) being in the just the top 18” of soil. Further, the majority of the absorbing roots are found in the top 6” as there tends to be sufficient nutrients, oxygen, and water closer to the surface. Sending roots deeper is not often necessary. There are instances where trees may need to and can send down sinker roots to reach deeper. There have been some roots discovered at extraordinary depths! In one account, a researcher from Rutgers University found roots 230 feet (70 meters) below ground. They belonged to a Shepherd's tree (Boscia albitrunca) in the Kalahari Desert, The Guinness Book of World Records lists the deepest tree roots ever found were discovered in a cave system in South Africa, almost 400 feet (122 meters) below the surface! The wild fig tree's(Ficus natalensis) were found in Echo Caves. (note that this is deeper than the tallest known tree is tall - Hyperion coastal redwood @ 380 ft/116 meters)  Illustration of the root system of common deciduous trees. OLDEST TREE PLANTED BY HUMANS One of the most sacred trees on the planet, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa) was reportedly planted 2,311 years ago, making it possibly the oldest living tree known to be planted by humans. Records indicate one of the early kings of Sri Lanka planted the tree from a cutting in his gardens in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. The tree has been cared for by kings and Buddhist monks given its heritage and a believed descendant of the original Bodhi tree under which Siddhartha Guatama reached enlightenment. WORLD’S RAREST TREE There was only one known Three Kings kaikōmako tree (Pennantia baylisiana) when a botanist discovered it in the wild in 1945. It was found on Three Kings Island; about 34 miles northwest of Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand’s northern island. (34.15957° S, 172.13743° E) Being dioecious (having separate male & female plants), this single female tree was unlikely to reproduce and produce seed. Similar to how the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi fig above was propagated by cutting, this tree was successfully propagated in the 1950’s. (Read more about tree propagation here) That single tree growing in the wild and a few of the propagated trees eventually set seed, but the fruits were seldom fertile (around 1 in 2000). Continued efforts by scientists eventually led to an individual tree becoming self-fertile in the 1990’s, opening the door to possibility of saving this species from extinction. Even though hundreds of Three Kings kaikōmakos have been propagated and planted since finding that sole survivor, it is easy to understand why it is known as the "world's loneliest tree". UNIQUE WOOD COLOR Most wood ranges in color across a spectrum of white to tan to dark brown. You may have also noticed some yellow and orange hues, from subtle to more pronounced. But did you know there are some species with seemingly unatural colors like red and purple?  left ot right: amaranth - blackwood - padauk - pink ivory  Here are a few species that exhibit unique colors and coloration:
One species that can also be found in North America is boxelder (Acer negundo), a type of maple. It may not be a particularly desirable species in many people’s opinions, yet it has a unique characteristic you might witness when pruning and cutting into the trunk. Once cut, the exposed wood can turn red and even vibrant red; blood red. The discoloration seems to be related to a fungus or the tree having been exposed to other stresses. (Scientists continue to study the details of this reaction) Whatever the cause, it is interesting to see it change before your eyes! The reaction makes boxelder wood with “flame red” coloration and streaking attractive to woodworkers. Back to Those Cones
For my fellow tree-geeks still wondering what the largest and heaviest pinecones may be: - Sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana) produces the longest pinecone (and longest cone of all conifers), reaching about 20 inches (50 cm) in length. They grow naturally in western North America, from Oregon, U.S. down into Baja California, Mexico. - Coulter pine (Pinus coulteri) has the heaviest pinecones, weighing in around 10 pounds (5 Kg). They grow in the coastal mountains of southern California, U.S. and northern Baja California, Mexico.  The fall color change is a big tourism driver. Some estimates approach $30 billion dollars being pumped into the economies for the sates in the eastern U.S. during the fall! My wife & I have spent a bit of money traveling around Michigan and Wisconsin over the past few weeks. We just returned from a week of camping, hiking, kayaking, and climbing in NW Wisconsin, immersing ourselves in the colors of the season. While it is common for a tree-nut to dive into the chemical processes going on inside the leaves that lead to seasonal color change, I'm going to spend a little time talking about it from a different angle. I assume most of your time tends to be spent closer to home as it may be easier to walk through your back yard or around the neighborhood to enjoy the colors. You may have more control of your personal surroundings, so I'm going to talk about a few trees you may be interested in adding to your landscape. Since there are many factors to consider when planting a tree, please consult with your local nursery for species, cultivars, and hybrids that may best fit your climate, site conditions, and desires! Here are couple of my favorite trees for their fall color appeal:  RED Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) - not only is it a faster growing oak that develops into a large shade tree and provides benefits for wildlife, it can also be enjoyed for its red leaf color in the fall. You can also add red fall coloration with some red maples (Acer rubrum) and white oaks (Quercus alba).  YELLOW Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) - This unique tree, once thought to be extinct, has one of the most magnificent yellow color displays in the fall! After its radiant yellow show, all the leaves drop within 1-2 days. Some may consider that to be clean-up friendly! For what it's worth, after caring for trees for over 30 years, I cannot recall encountering a single insect or disease problem on any of my clients' ginkgos. I also enjoy the golden yellow color from shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) and tamarack (Larix laricina). American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) is another favorite of mine along with its attractive smooth gray bark.  ORANGE Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) - Like Wisconsin’s native tamarack, bald cypress is also a deciduous conifer. The tree usually maintains a nice pyramidal form in the landscape and has unique foliage and fall coloration. I could go on about it's bark, trunk taper, "knees"...but I'll leave those for another time. You can also add orange to your fall color scheme with sugar maple (Acer saccharum, Wisconsin's state tree) and serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.), which is a smaller tree/shrub. If you are fortunate to live in an area where sassafrass can thrive (Sassafras ablidum), do yourself a favor and check out it's orange fall color! It can also progress into red or even burgundy hues.  BURGUNDY Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) - One of my personal favorite fall color trees! A medium sized tree, its fall color change is exceptional in that it progresses in stages from yellow to orange to red to burgundy. Some people classify this tree as a red fall color...but since it progresses into purple hues before the leaves drop, I'm calling it burgundy! White ash remains my favorite burgundy fall colored tree, but nursery growers stopped producing them shortly after the emerald ash borer began devastating the ash populations in North America.  GREEN Whaaat?? Hear me out...with all the color changing going on, which will includes browns from trees that lack much of a "color show", I love how green foliage stands out in the fall color spectrum! I particularly enjoy both eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) and white cedar (Thuja occidentalis, also called arborvitae). Look close enough and you'll enjoy their fall color change as the interior foliage turns yellow to orange, providing a contrast with the green foliage on the ends of the branches. Given winter is right around the corner, the green color from these trees will be greatly appreciated and beneficial for our mental health through the browns and grays of the winter landscape. (It is fascinating to underdstand how the chemical processes inside the leaves drive the fall color change, so if you want to wade into the technical details, read about them here.)
Contemporary use of this phrasing often alludes to engaging in a certain experience with a calm state of attentiveness, guided by intuition rather conscious thought or effort. It is also interpreted as the activity itself allows a practitioner to achieve a calmed state by engaging in the activity. While the Western interpretation of Zen may be more of a mix of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism influences, it’s roots first sprouted in Zen Buddhism in the 5th century CE. Zen Buddhism focuses heavily on the use of meditation to achieve enlightenment and understanding “the meaning of life”. Many tree climbers experience a state of peace and tranquility when they are high in the branches above. Having a calmed state of mind when sitting in the top of a tree lends itself to practicing mindfulness and meditation.  Given meditation involves clearing the mind, the climbing process itself can provide a point of focus, resulting in one’s mind letting go of the everyday worries and concerns that plague our thoughts in our daily routine. Therefore, some people see climbing as meditative in its nature. The Path to Enlightenment In their simplest forms, “The Zen of”, Zen Buddhism, and any of the branches or schools of Buddhism are focused on reaching enlightenment; or attaining the full comprehension of the true nature of all things and life itself. The original Buddha put forth that life is filled with struggle & suffering, which occur when we harbor desires, are guided by our ego, or behave in immoral ways. He went on to present a path we can follow to reduce suffering and find ultimate happiness and inner peace. This path is the noble Eightfold Path. Through following the behaviors in the Eightfold Path, one can escape the suffering associated with the human experience. Escape suffering, reach nirvana, become enlightened. Zen Buddhism emphasizes the practice of meditation as being the key to reaching enlightenment, whereas meditation is just one of the 8 steps put forth by the Buddha. The 8 components in the Eightfold Path include having the right:
Upon considering “the Zen of Tree Climbing”, I find a natural how the philosophical principles in the Eightfold Path are manifested in the tree climbing process.  Climbing the Eightfold Path RIGHT VIEW: Having the right view refers to having the understanding that your actions have consequences, which can lead to suffering. Therefore, you should pursue the knowledge that will help you see and understand things as they really are as this will help you steer clear of suffering. If you can picture yourself standing at the base of a tall tree, looking up at the branches high above, it’d likely strike you that climbing the tree could result in injury. Most of us are not as carefree, or oblivious to consequences as we were as kids. Knowing there is risk involved is usually enough reason for many people to not even consider heading up. With a little training and knowledge however, we can learn what we can look for and how to read subtle details to determine if a tree is suitable for climbing. We can also use this knowledge to make determinations on how to climb the tree while minimizing our risks for injury. It also helps to know that there is specialized equipment and how it can be used to climb tall trees and minimize the associated risks with being at-height. I’m sure you don’t need to have climbed a tree to imagine it being far more enjoyable and rewarding if we do so without injuring ourselves. Having the knowledge and understanding of how to determine if a tree is suitable for climbing can help minimize your exposure to risk of injury & suffering.  RIGHT THOUGHTS/INTENTION: When it comes to fostering the right thoughts or having the right intention, we are looking at cultivating healthy thoughts as they determine our state of mind. One of the biggest obstacles and hindrances new climbers encounter is comparing themselves to others. It appears that that some people are inclined to judge themself by comparing to others, yet how someone else is doing has no bearing on how you will do. It makes no difference if he is doing better than you or if she is climbing faster than you, your path is up your rope, not someone else’s. If your thoughts are focused on how other people are doing, especially if those thoughts are envious or negative in nature, you will lose focus of what is most important - your own progress & success. To reach your goal, you will need a positive mindset and your focus should be on your technique and driven by your motivations. Further, it appears to be reflex for some people to start right off the bat saying, “I’m not good at this” or “I can’t do it.” It’s been said, “whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re exactly right.” That’s the power of thought. Positive thoughts cultivate a healthy mindset. RIGHT SPEECH: Right speech refers to refraining from divisive and abusive speech. Words of praise and encouragement have a positive impact on others who are headed up on their own journey. Such words can lift a person’s spirits and bring them joy. Whereas using words of criticism and judgement have the potential to negatively impact their psyche and performance. Think back to the idea above; how another person is doing has no bearing on whether you achieve success of reaching your goal. We can either use words of positivity or negativity, keeping in mind that your words also impact your mindset. Abusive language towards others will negatively impact your own well-being. Maintaining positive thoughts and verbalizing them has a synergistic and karmic effect on your own state of mind.   RIGHT ACTION: Right action is to refrain from unwholesome & harmful behavior. Instead, behave in accordance with truth and for the goodness of others. During a climb, we are interacting with the tree and other climbers. Given our reliance upon the condition of the tree to keep us safe, common sense tells us to respect the tree and refrain from causing injury or harming the tree for our own sake. Likewise, our actions should not be such that they cause harm to others, whether they are enjoying the area and tree from the ground or in the branches alongside us. This also goes for the animals and organisms that rely on the tree for food and habitat.  RIGHT LIVELIHOOD: Right livelihood refers to avoiding occupations that directly or indirectly harm others, in essence, provide for your needs in a way that is moral and respects all life. Climbing higher takes energy and therefore we often take breaks to catch our breath and rest our muscles. Once we stop on a branch for a breather, we are able to look beyond the branches and leaves that envelop us. Our field of view has expanded far beyond that which we could see from the ground. This elevated perspective lends itself to a broader understanding of where you are in relation to the ground below and where the tree is situated in relation to its surroundings and the community. Viewing the broader picture, we have the opportunity to see how everything interacts and is connected to something beyond just itself. Each individual has influence on everyone else, and it is in your control to be a positive influence on those you interact with and those who are impacted by your actions.  RIGHT EFFORT: Putting forth the right effort means that we should refrain from unwholesome thoughts. At the beginning of a climb, it is common to have a sense of apprehension. If you are overwhelmed by negative thoughts and emotions, you’re probably not going to leave the ground. Once you start your ascent though, your focus turns inward – your body and mind is fully engaged and focused on your climbing technique, the situation and the perceived risks you are putting yourself in, and the wide range of emotions you encounter. Any one of these challenges could become a distraction and a hindrance, and ultimately could have you heading back to the ground. Successfully reaching your goal and having a rewarding experience is very much dependent upon your ability to maintain a positive state of mind by keeping negativity from encroaching. RIGHT MINDFULNESS: The idea of right mindfulness involves actively contemplating sufferings in your body, feelings, and mind. Reaching the top of the tree, your efforts have brought you to your goal. As you sit up there taking it all in, your heart rate decreases. You can reflect on everything you encountered along the way. You are aware of obscure muscles you may have never realized where there. Sitting in the branches high above the ground, those types of thoughts eventually fade and you are able to sit, take in the view, and appreciate being where you are. You have the opportunity to appreciate all of the aspects you encountered along the way, everything around you, and yourself, without judgement.  Having a cleared mind and being in this special spot elevated above all else is conducive to letting your mind enter a state of contemplation and mindfulness, where you can gain insight into your true self. Tree climbers refer to the time spent in this state of peace as “tree-time”.  RIGHT CONCENTRATION: Right concentration involves bringing awareness to ways in which you can address hindrances to your clearing of the mind and bring all aspects of the 8-fold path in harmony. Each of them supports and relies upon one another. You encounter a variety of thoughts and emotions during the ascent, from fears and feelings of unease being out of your comfort zone, to self-doubt. You can reflect upon each challenge you faced and how you dealt with them. If your focus remained centered on positive actions, thoughts, and words… …sitting with a cleared mind, you have the opportunity for active assessment in how you might be able to adjust different aspects of your technique and mindset in order to improve and strengthen the impact of your climbing experience or practice. Awakening Your True Nature The tree-time state of mind is calmed and quiet. Being in the moment, brings clarity of mind. Stay up there long enough and even this state of bliss and wonderment might begin to subside. Your physical, mental, and emotional states of well-being are in harmony. All is well, everything is perfect. You have the opportunity to experience total peace of mind and self.  With a mind freed from desire and unwholesome thoughts, you can enter a state of perfect equanimity and wakefulness.
Climbing into the treetops can be a life-altering journey, one that might lead you to a state of samadhi and enlightenment. Even if you don’t experience that deeper state, most people walk away feeling a deeper connection to the natural world and quite possibly, insight into their true self. We have previously talked about the oldest and largest trees in the world. There are plenty of other questions we may have, such as, what is the fastest growing tree or tree with the widest spreading branches. Here are a few interesting trees and tree-related facts to entertain your curiosities. FASTEST GROWING TREE You may know a silver maple tends to grow faster than a white oak. You may be aware that bamboo grows very fast, which can grow 1.5" per hour /2.9 feet per day. You can literally watch it grow! Even though it may look like a tree, bamboo is actually a type of grass. So what is the fastest growing tree? Albizia (Falcataria moluccana), is a tree species that is native to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Growing in Malaysia, albizia has been documented in reaching 35ft in 13 months, or over 2.5ft per month! A white oak may need 35 years to reach that height. WIDEST SPREAD OF A TREE The crown of a tree is the upper portion which includes the branches, twigs and leaves. Pines usually have a more upright growth habit, being taller than they are wide. Trees growing in an open area have the opportunity to develop a wider crown than those growing in the forest. A bur oak that you may see in a farm field may have a broader spread than it is tall. What tree supports the widest spreading crown? An Indian banyan (Ficus benghalensis) known as Thimmamma Marrimanu & growing in southern India has the widest spreading crown discovered to date. Its entire crown covers almost 5.5 acres (620ft x 475ft), an area equivalent to three soccer fields. Banyan trees have an interesting growth habit where they send down vine-like growths from branches, which take root once they reach the ground & thereby creating a trunk-like support for the branch as it continues to extend horizontally. Thimmamma Marrimanu is supported by nearly 4,000 of these prop roots/trunks.  The largest banyan/ficus tree in the U.S. appears to be the one growing at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Ft Meyers, FL. At 100 years of age, this tree is about 60ft tall and it's crown covers about 1 acre. Notice all of the trunks which formed when aerial roots reached the ground. Banyans are considered a single-trunk tree although they generate the prop “trunks”. Notice the 4 trunks in the distance to the left side of the picture above. These are part of this same tree. Compare this to Pando, a quaking aspen which covers 106 acres in Fish Lake National Forest in Utah. Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is a clonal species, meaning the underground root system sends up multiple trunks, each looking like an individual tree..  Solitary trees growing in the middle of crop fields are a common sight. MOST REMOTE TREE Speaking of a bur oak that you may see growing all alone in the middle of a corn field, have you ever wondered where the most solitary tree may be? I have. The most remote tree is believed to be a Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) growing on the subantarctic Campbell Island, New Zealand. It was planted in the early 1900’s and its nearest companion is on the Auckland Islands, over 120 miles away! MOST UNUSUAL PROPERTY OWNER Do trees have rights? Apparently one does. In the early 1800’s, a property owner so loved the white oak (Quercus alba) growing on his property that he reportedly deeded the land to the tree itself upon his passing. The tree owns itself. That tree fell in 1942 and was replaced with a new tree grown from one of its acorns. While the deed is not known to exist, the residents and community of Athens, GA recognize the tree’s title to the land. MOST TREES PLANTED IN A DAY I'd like to think everyone reading this has planted at least one tree in their life. Preferably a handful. Some of us have planted hundreds or even thousands. Having worked on tree farms and reforestation crews, I have planted hundreds of trees in a single day. Planting a bare-rooted seedling goes a lot faster than a larger tree from the nursery! While I am proud of the number of trees I have planted over the years, Antoine Moses holds the Guinness World Record as the individual planting the most trees in 24 hours. He planted 23,060 trees in La Crete, Alberta, Canada on July 17, 2021! What did you do with your time during the Covid-19 pandemic? My curiosity and interest in these types of tidbits doesn't end there. How much water can a tree take in each day? What tree has the largest fruit or seed? How deep do tree roots grow? We'll take a look at some of these and other tree trivia(l) facts next time.  I think most people who sign up for our public climbs do so because it sounds and looks like a lot of fun. It is! While the climbing technique we introduce you to is quick and easy to pick up, you still have to do the climbing yourself. In doing so you realize it does take some strength and can understand how climbing regularly could provide a fitness workout. Usually a general level of fitness is all that is needed. Once your feet leave the ground, the adventure begins! For some, the feeling of adventure is simply the sensation of being suspended at height, whatever height you find challenging. For others, the adventure heightens as they approach the top of the rope or working through the challenge of finding balance as they stand on a branch. The longer we spend on rope, on branches, and in the tree, our body and mind begin to relax. We are energized, yet find ourselves at peace. Recreational tree climbing is a unique and engaging activity that can compliment your personal fitness, mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation practices! Natural Energy Source Trees provide an essential energy source that helps us find balance in our lives and improve our well-being. Spending time in nature exposes you to this energy, thereby reducing feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety. (The Importance of Nature in our Lives, Psychology Today) Climbing into trees and sitting in their branches provides a more intimiate connection and enhances these effects. (Comparison of the Physiological and Psychological Benefits of Tree and Tower Climbing - Dr. John Gathright (pdf)) Aligning yourself with this energy, your body will experience a reduction in blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and stress hormones. In a calm and balanced state, you will find deeper engagement in your mind and the surrounding environment.  Revel in the energy of a majestic oak tree, breathing in oxygen directly from the source. Forest bathing or Shinrin-Yoku embraces the healing affects of the forest ecosystem. Tree-Time enables you to enjoy the rejuvenating affect of spending time embraced by the tree's branches. Climb Big Trees
Tree climbing for most people means or meant climbing small trees with branches that could be used as foot & handholds. Climbing with us. you'll be climbing tall, mature trees. Trees that shade our houses and stand tall in the forest are probably not ones you ever thought about climbing given their hieght. But these are the trees you get to climb with us! We offer facilitated climbs for the general public, where no expereince is neceessary and we provide all of the equipment and guidance. Most of our facilitated climbs are appropriate for ages 7 to adult. We will show & work with you until you pick up the you the easy-to-learn technique. Once you have it down you'll be heading up to enjoy tree-time as you feel inclined. Regardless if you decide to climb to the top, stay lower to the ground, or try swinging at height, the sense of security you feel in your harness and rope allows you to focus your mind on the experience and your time in the branches. You will walk away having had a fun time, energized from your chosen level of adventure, and bursting with confidence and pride having been able to reach your goal! * Recreational Tree Climbing is enjoyed around the world! If you are not able to climb with us here in Wisconsin, maybe you can find nother climbing outfitter to get you into the treetops: Map of GOTC Recognized Tree Climbing Facilitators & Instructors  left: solitary oak with a single trunk. right: double trunk tree, which are actually two seperate trees growing next to each other. There are notable trees around the world that draw people’s attention for historic reasons or because they are sizeable. Old trees are respected as they can live for centuries and even millennia, providing us a connection to our ancestors. Some of us are drawn to the tallest and largest tree of a particular species. We might be interested in knowing which tree is the oldest, the tallest, or the largest in the world. These may seem like simple questions with straight-forward answers, but we do need to dig a little deeper when looking for the answers. What is a Tree When you think of a tree, do you picture a tree with a single trunk that divides into larger branches forming the crown? Some trees appear to have a couple trunks emerging from the same point at the ground. Trees like this could be the same tree or possibly different trees that are growing immediately next to each other. If you are interested in measuring the tree, you’d obviously need to determine if it is in fact a single tree. Most trees we come across are individual trees with a single trunk. This is the form of the trees we usually have in mind when talking about the oldest tree, tallest tree, and largest tree. Oldest, Tallest, Largest The oldest known trees are Great Basin bristlecone pines. One of these trees known as Methuselah, grows in the White Mountains in California and has been aged over 4,850 years. This tree is often recognized as the oldest tree in the world, yet there is another one nearby that has been estimated to over 5,070 years. Stay tuned as an alerce tree in Chile was estimated last year as close to 5,400 years old (Is This the Oldest Tree in the World - LiveScience). Regardless of which one is truly the oldest, all three of these trees are remarkable beings that have survived for 5 millennia. The tallest known tree in the world is a coastal redwood known as Hyperion, measured at over 380 feet in height. Coastal redwoods grow along the Pacific coast of northern California into southern Oregon. While the tallest tree measurement focuses solely on the height of the tree, when looking for the largest tree, we are looking at total volume of the tree (which brings in height as well as width of the tree's trunk, branches, etc.). The General Sherman Tree, a giant sequoia in Sequoia National Park, is currently the largest known tree in the world. To qualify, this title of largest tree is in relation to the measured volume of its trunk and crown. The amount of space this individual takes up is impressive, standing roughly 275 feet tall and its trunk measuring over 36 feet wide at the base.  Even at half the size of the General Sherman Tree, this giant sequoia's trunk is still enormous. To give perspective of the size of The General Sherman Tree, the climbing area we flag off under our climbing trees is often 35-40 feet wide. Likewise, most of our climbing trees are 65-70 feet tall; which at that same height above ground, The General Sherman Tree's trunk is still about 15 feet wide. It is an impressive tree, but could there really be a tree larger than that?  aspen stand - nationalforest.org The Tree is the Forest All the trees mentioned so far are single-stem species; also referred to as non-clonal. Looking underground, you can view these trees as a root system that gives rise to a single trunk. Again, there are instances where another stem or stems my arise, but they originate from the same general point of the root system. These new sprouts/stems/trunks can lead to a multi-stemmed tree whose life continues even after the original trunk dies off. This is a phenomenal characteristic that can extend the tree’s existence. Clonal species, in comparison, send up multiple stems/trunks from the same root system, but at different locations along the root system. Above ground you might see several trees or individual trunks growing in an area. While it might appear that you are standing in a grove or grouping of different trees, they are in fact all part of the same tree. One large root system with multiple trunks. One tree. When we bring clonal species into the mix, it's no longer a straightforward answer to the question of what’s the largest or oldest tree!  approximate outline of the outer edge of Pando's spread in Utah Meet Pando Quaking aspens are one of the more widely known clonal trees that you may be familiar with. As with many clonal tree species, a single quaking aspen tree can have 100’s-1,000’s of trunks all generated from the same root system. While one of its individual stems may not be all that impressive in terms of the thickness of trunk or height, the overall spread of the tree can reach out over acres. It may leave you wondering, can a clonal tree's many smaller stems even come close to measuring up against the total volume of the massive giant sequoia? Pando, meaning “I spread” in Latin, is a quaking aspen in south central Utah. This organism’s root system has over 47,000 stems/trunks and spreads out just over 100 acres. It grows across an area about the size of 80 NFL football fields! The volume in all of Pando’s trunks and crowns exceeds that of The General Sherman Tree. Now who’s the largest tree? You may not see that as an apple-to-apple comparison, but hopefully it puts things in perspective. I am truly impressed by the size of both trees. Standing in the midst of a humongous clonal tree like Pando or at the base of The General Sherman Tree, I feel infinitesimal. Both are the largest known trees in the world; one the clonal giant, one the single-trunk giant. You’re Only as Old as You Feel
Clonal species continue growing and generating new stems while older stems are dying off. This can result in the tree living far longer than any single stem. Aging trees can be difficult, particularly when you are dealing with a clonal species like quaking aspen. The trunks decay relatively quickly after dying, therefore aging relies on methods beyond counting growth rings or measuring trunk diameter. At the oldest end of the range, Pando most likely germinated after the last glacial period in the area. Scientists who study quaking aspen, estimate Pando’s age somewhere between 8,000 and 12,000 years old. Does that make Methuselah and its unnamed neighbor feel young? I am in complete reverence standing in the presence of any of these trees. Regardless of how deep I like to dive into any one tree or metric, I appreciate the ambiguities that arise from the seemingly simple question like, what is the largest tree? Look For Yourself Big tree hunters are in constant search of the oldest, tallest, and largest trees. Some will travel the world on this quest. Others may focus their efforts on the trees within their state or on a specific tree species. Whatever metric you are drawn to, there are many noteworthy trees in each county, state, and region. If you are amazed by the age of Pando, I encourage to look into Old Tjikko in Sweden and the wollemi pine in Australia. If height impresses you, maybe read up on tuliptree as it is the tallest known native deciduous tree species in North America. The Montello Cottonwood is a Wisconsin tree worthy of a visit as the tallest known tree in the state. If you admire overall size of a tree, the largest known bur oak growing in Wisconsin is at Stone Fences Farm in Dousman. The vast majority of those who have climbed with us have been through a Rec Climb, Open Climb, or private climb. We love these climbs as they are where most people are introduced to the excitement and reward of climbing tall trees. If you have climbed, you likely reached a point where you were energized by the feel of being high above the ground. This height is quite variable depending on the person, and of course there is much more to experience up there in addition to the distance you are above the ground. Many climbers love the feel of making it up to the branches. For some, just reaching them or touching them is enough. Others like being able to pull themselves over to sit on them. Some have a level of comfort that allows them to stand on a branch and even swing off of them.  Climbing in a Park Near You There is plenty of excietment to be had, even if you return time and again to the same tree; as many of you do with our Rec Climbs in your local park. This is part of the reason why we partner with numerous municipal Rec Departments, to introduce and make the recreational tree climbing experience accessible to as many people as we can. Most people have never seen or heard of climbing tall trees until they saw it in their Rec Department's Activity Guide. Some happen upon us during a stroll in the local park. However you first learned of us, our Rec Climb programs likely played a part with you and your children's introduction to this wonderful activity.  Climber relaxes and enjoys the view during an Open Climb Branching Out Into New Trees We offer our Open Climbs so returning guests can change it up and enjoy climbing in a different tree. Not only do we pick our favorite trees for these climbs, we get to share the experience of hammocking high above the ground. We meet a large number of new climbers at these climbs as well given they are offered on weekends (Rec Climbs primarily offered on weekdays). Under the guise of just another fun thing to do while tree climbing, the hammock actually adds a level of challenge as getting in and out of it while hanging on rope further engages a climber's problem-solving and creative thinking skills. Since our Rec & Open Climbs are open to the general public and do not require experience, our procedures and the situations can be limiting to some climbers.  This advanced climber took advantage of the opportuntiy to climb the facilitator's rope to the top of the tree. Out on a Limb
Our Open-Advanced Climbs cater to people who have already climbed with us. This means that you are likely sharing climb-time with others who have worked through the initial fears and learning curve that limits first-time climbers. Open-Advanced Climbs attract participants who have really taken to the climbing experience and want to do even more up there. Climbers who are more comfortable at-height, would like to try new challenges, and excited to expand our movement around the branches. There are participants who are still working through fears of heights or maybe simply enjoy swinging. The common factor among the participants who come to these climbs is to take advantage of the longer sessions and not having to wait in line. There are more ropes than climbers, fewer people, and everyone has climbed with us previously. That enables us to allow climbers to try advanced challenges and more movement - like walking out further on a limb. We can even have a climbing guide in the tree to help participants work on various skills next to each other. Professional climbers enjoy much more movement and freedom when climbing, whether reaching higher points or more lateral movement and use of the climbing knot. Each month we offer up a new experience that we cannot allow in Rec & Open Climbs. Former students of our learn-to-climb classes are often in these climbs as well, working on the same skills; which makes for an exciting dynamic! Aspiring climbers of all levels, enjoying tree-time together. Each person focussed on their personal experience and intention for the day. For me, these types of experiences are what make the climbing experience more enjoyable, provide greater connection to the tree, and promote personal growth. If you or your child have climbed with us before & would like to continue to pursue the many benefits and rewards of climbing trees, I encourage you to learn more about our Open-Advanced Climbs. They are a great option for those who are too young learn to climb on their own and those not ready to make the investment in the equipment. Many of us feel a sense of admiration and adoration when we look upon an old or exceptionally large tree. Given many tree species live to ages well beyond human life expectancy, they can provide a connection to something larger than ourselves such as our ancestors, our moment in time, and our place in Nature. It is natural to have respect for our elders as they played a part in getting us to where we are today. The same can be said for the respect we have for old trees and old-growth forests given the many benefits we receive and role they play in healthy environments and ecosystems.  A common question I am asked is, "how old is that tree?" Having studied and worked with trees for over 30 years, you’d think I’d be able to rattle off an age about as quickly as I can identify the type of tree it is. However, estimating the age of a tree simply by looking at it is nothing more than an educated guess at best, and we usually aren't privy to its growing conditions throughout its life. There are 3 primary ways we can estimate a tree's age. Two involve counting the annual growth rings and one uses a mathematical formula based on tree size. Counting tree rings tends to be more precise as size is not a reliable measurement eventhough trees generally get larger with age. However, this third method can often get us in the ballpark (albeit a rather large park). Having an idea of a tree’s age opens up the potential for admirers to build connection to and respect for some of Nature’s most amazing organisms and why I don’t mind engaging in the conversation.  An increment borer is a tool used by professionals who wish to view the annual growth rings of a tree. The tool is in essence a long metal tube with spiral teeth on the outer side, allowing it to be screwed into the trunk. Being a hollow cylinder, a “straw” or wood rod is captured inside the tube. When we remove this straw/rod, we have a cross-section of the growth rings. If you screwed into the center of the stem, you then have a rod that includes all of the growth rings. Not only can these rings be counted to help us determine the age of the tree, but also hold quite a bit of information that can be studied in order to help us look back in time.
Of course we don’t always hit the center of the stem. If your borer isn’t long enough to reach center, you miss the center, or should the middle of the tree be hollow, your extracted straw will not have all of the growth rings. In these instances, we may still be able to extrapolate the estimated age of the stem through calculating the average annual growth rate of the rings you did capture. Researchers, educators, and some tree fanatics will spend the money on this specialized equipment. The exact age of a tree has little impact when it comes to prescribing health related treatments, which is why this is not a standard piece of equipment used by arborists and related professions. Just Tell Me the Answer Since a tree’s age is a metric that often appeals to the general public and tree enthusiasts, there is another method that can be used to estimate ages. If we measure enough trees of a specific species, an average annual growth rate can be calculated for the species. Thanks to numerous research studies, this data has been used to generate growth factor values for a number of common tree species. This growth rate value is used in the following formula to estimate tree age: Growth Factor x DBH = Age The Growth Factor is basically the number of growth rings a species puts out per inch of trunk growth. The slower a tree grows, the more growth rings per inch, thus the higher the Growth Factor number. Faster growth leads to wider growth rings, therefore the Growth Factor will be a lower number relative to the size of the trunk (i.e. fewer rings per inch). DBH stands for “diameter at breast height”, which is a common measurement used when working with trees. In the most straight-forward of situations, the diameter, aka width of the trunk, is measured at 4.5 feet above the ground (breast/chest height).  Utilizing the Gorwth Factor chart and formula above; if you have a 10” diameter silver maple, your tree is likely to be about 30 years old (3.0 growth factor x 10”dbh = 30 years age). Remember, this only provides an estimate based on the average growth rate of silver maple. Depending on the growing conditions it developed under, I wouldn't be surprised if this tree is 20 years or even 50 years old. If the tree has been growing under fertile and ideal conditions, then growth rate can be greater and the tree younger in age. If the tree is growing under stressful conditions or in poor soil, then its rate of growth will be slower and an older age. (We'll look at an extreme example of this shortly!) To further complicate the matter, a tree is likely to experience years of greater growth and periods of slow growth throughout its lifetime. For example, trees that have a new home built next to them where construction equipment caused soil compaction to its root zone are likely to experience a period of slowed growth. The duration and extent of this negative impact is unknown in most cases and an example of why the formula method can only aid us in guess-timating a tree’s age. These examples are not meant to cause confusion, but rather aid in understanding why there can be such great variance when estimating age solely by tree size. Such variables can be taken into consideration when we are aware of them. When considering such variables, I typically offer an estimated age range that may span 25-50 years or more. If a ballpark estimate is good enough to satiate your curiosity, use the formula.  Click image to read more about the discovery of this tree. (External link to Wausau Daily Herald) Growing Older But Not Up If trees get larger as they age, it may stand to reason that the largest trees are likely the oldest trees and vice versa. This is not usually the case, so let's consider this example. The oldest known tree in Wisconsin has been estimated close to 1,300 years old. (An increment borer was used for this estimation.) It is an eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) with a trunk only 10 inches wide (10" dbh). This tree is growing on the side of a cliff. Growing out of cracks in the rock face is not exactly the best soil conditions for any tree, yet this tree has been able to survive while putting on very little growth per year. This demonstrates that the site conditions a tree is growing in can greatly influence its rate of growth considering an redcedar growing in ideal conditions could likely grow to a 10” diameter trunk within 50 years. This is in large part why trying to guess a tree’s age simply by looking at its size can be less than precise and why some professionals decline to provide age estimates. Is Age Just a Number I have enjoyed time amongst trees that sprouted in each of the last 4 millennia. I regularly visit a 200-250 year old bur oak, spending time in its branches thinking of all the changes it has seen in its lifetime. While we may not need to know the exact age of the tree, it is neat to be able to have an idea of how old a tree may be as knowing its age often instills a sense of admiration and connects us to previous generations and our point in history. A bur oak, not far from my house, recently had a large stem removed, revealing a 125-year history and an opportunity for reflection.  Photos borrowed from:
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AuthorAs a G.O.T.C. Recognized Master Instructor & Facilitator, I.S.A. Board Certified Master Arborist, and T.C.I.A. Certified Treecare Safety Professional, Curt has spent over 30 years dedicated to the study and care of trees. Categories
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Treetop Explorer, LLC. - 620 Maple Avenue, Waukesha, Wisconsin 53186 - (262) 894-4949. - [email protected]
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