What is recreational tree climbing & where do you start

The Tree Climbing Experience

What's it like in the branches? Who does this? Can I climb too?

What is Recreational Tree Climbing?

As a child, your sense of adventure may have lead you into the woods and up trees in search of adventure, discovery, and often times to escape to a quiet place.

You may have climbed using the branches like rungs of a ladder to help you get high into the tree. Climbing like that limits us to smaller trees with enough branches for handholds. This also exposes climbers to a greater risk of falling.

The tree climbing experience we offer is quite different from that!

We use rope and harness to help us ascend into trees, suspend us at height, and allow a controlled descent. This style of climbing allows you to climb into tall, mature trees to explore, take in the view, connect with the tree, and gain insight into your true self.

"One of the aspects I enjoy most is that I can leave my worries and stresses on the ground while I head up to enjoy the peace in the branches. It's almost meditative in the sense that my mind is solely focused on the climbing and the wonderful sensations and sights from high above. It's a place I can escape, relax, and reconnect with myself."

Climbers & parents tell you all about it:

Climbing with Treetop Explorer at a Hartford Rec Climb (4:56) - TnF Videos

Transformative Power of Climbing Trees

David Anderson of Canopy Watch International TED TALK (13:24)

Climb-With-Us or learn to Climb-On-Your-Own

Our facilitated tree climbing experiences enable inexperienced climbers to enjoy this unique and rewarding outdoor activity. Our trained and skilled climbing facilitators provide all of the equipment, instruction, and support you need to enjoy your time above the ground. You are free to ascend at your own pace and climb as high as you'd like. During your time off the ground, you can swing, hang upside down, sit and enjoy the view, climb to the top of your rope, sit or stand on a limb, meditate, chat with a friend, study the tree, connect with Nature...and relax.

Our learn-to-climb classes get you started with the foundational skills needed to head out on your own adventures and endevours. Our class instructor has close to 30 years of climbing and training experience in the tree care and recreational climbing industries. Class sizes have a low student to instructor ratio in order to provide personalized attention and help you progress at your pace. Classes are designed to provide the foundational knowledge and ample time to practice the skills so you can leave class with the confidence and ability to climb trees on your own.

Facilitated Climbing Experience
(Open, Open-Advanced, Girl Scout Open, Rec, Group climbs)

Watch climbers take to the trees during a facilitated climb! (0:52)

See what awaits in the treetops! (1:57)

Trained Climber Experience
- Learn-to-Climb classes -
(Open-Advanced Climbs offer a taste of this!)

Climber going up for first time.* (3:25)

*Video used by permission of Tree Climbing Colorado, Harv Teitelbaum is a founding member and past president of the Global Organization of Tree Climbers.

Climbers spend 5 days traversing the forest canopy. (27:11)

Why climb trees?

Arborists climb to prune or remove trees.
Scientists climb to study trees, forests, plants and animals that live in the canopy, and ecosystems.
Educators use tree climbing in experiential and adventure education programs.
Therapists use climbing for the calming, connection to nature, and personal insights it provides.
Conservationists and Naturalists climb to study and raise awareness for trees, forests, wildlife, and the environment.
Recreational Tree Climbers climb for some of the same reasons as well as for the exhilaration, challenge, and opportuntity to build a deeper connection to trees, forests and themselves.

What's the research say?

"Our comparison of tree-assisted therapy found greater reductions in participant tension, anxiety, depression, and anger and a greater increase in participant vitality."
- Dr. John Gathright
Comparison of the Physiological and Psychological Benefits of Tree and Tower Climbing (pdf)

Therapeutic and societal benefits from recreational tree climbing programs John Gathright - Urban Forestry & Urban Greening (pdf)

Benefits and risks of tree climbing on child development and resiliency
Carla Gull, Suzanne Levenson Goldstein, Tricia Rosengarten - International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education (pdf)

The Tree Climbing Experience