The childhood activity of tree climbing is being taken to new heights as arborists compete to reach the top of trees as tall as multi-storey buildings.
The best climbers in Queensland are this week vying for the title of state's best at Samford, north-west of Brisbane.
Run by the Queensland Arboriculture Association, competitors have been using their experience and skill to climb more than 30 metres.
Organiser Tony Randall said 30 arborists were taking part in the competition.
"It's serious business and the guys get a chance to show their skills on some of the state's great trees," he said.
Competitors are judged on their safety and the time it takes to get up the tree in a variety of events, which include aerial rescue, work climb and speed climb.
The event is being held in Samford due to the amount of tall trees in the area.
"We hold it in here as it's like a natural amphitheatre," Mr Randall said.
"We've selected five beautiful trees to climb.
"The trees are very tall and we make the competitors really work for the title ... it's not easy."
No spikes, only strength
Mr Randall said shoe spikes were not allowed.
"Since we're arborists and our motto is to never hurt the trees, we use ascenders to get up the trees," he told ABC Radio Brisbane's Craig Zonca.
"They're little padlocks that slide over rope and connect to your boot or knee.
"You then ride the rope like a bike to get to the top of the tree."
Before each event a gear check is undertaken by the judges.
"Safety and education is what we're about as this is a competition, but it's also our livelihoods and we do this on each job," Mr Randall said.
The competition ends on Saturday, with the overall winner going on to compete at the national competition before striving for the Asian Pacific and International Tree Climbing Championships.
