Climber's success is up among the treetops
Mark Chisholm sets world record at event in Hawaii
BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent
Mark Chisholm gives new meaning to tree climbing. While many youngsters like to climb trees, he has become an international tree climbing champion and recently set a new world record.

Over many years of competition, Mark Chisholm of Howell has come to be recognized and honored as an international tree-climbing champion. He recently set a world record in one event while competing in Honolulu, Hawaii.

In July, Chisholm, a resident of Howell, set the new record in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Masters' Challenge competition that had entrants from 18 countries. The record breaking event was the secured footlock.

"What it involved was climbing a rope with a secured place for footing straight up for 15 meters (approximately 50 feet) without touching the tree," Chisholm said. "The world record is now 13.80 seconds and my personal best (before the record) was 14.3 seconds."

Previously, the world ISA record was set in 2005 and was 14.04 seconds.

Chisholm, who has won the New Jersey ISA tree climbing championship for 15 years, won three other events in the world competition: the throwline, the head-tohead secured footlock and the aerial rescue. For these wins, he took second place in the world's 2007 Men's Masters' Challenge.

The ISA Masters' Challenge, Chisholm explained, started in 1976 as a way to prepare a climber equipped with only a rope to save a life in an aerial rescue.

"The competition is a fun way to keep improving your tree climbing skills and learn new ones," he said. "Also, it provides a way to learn safety techniques and what new technology is available."

Chisholm, who was the 1997 and 2001 ISA world tree climbing champion, has put his tree-climbing and rescue skills to use, but so far in nonthreatening life situations.

"There was a man who tried to remove a hornet's nest and got stuck in a tree and another man who cut his arm and had to be helped down," he said. "Plus, there were expensive model planes caught in trees and several cats that needed to be rescued."

Chisholm, 36, said he prepares for the state and world competitions by keeping in excellent physical condition. He and his brother, Steve, 38, both certified tree experts, work in the family business, Aspen Tree Expert Company, Jackson, owned by his parents, Steve and Laura Chisholm.

"My work in the field helps keep my skills sharp," said Chisholm, who was born in Long Branch. "Also, I work out and use cross-training exercises, plus I play in-line hockey."

For more than 17 years, Chisholm, who is a graduate of Jackson Memorial High School, has competed in tree-climbing competitions, and he intends to continue that pursuit.

"I want to compete against myself and continue to improve," he said. "Plus, I love to travel around the world to the countries that hold the Masters' competition and see my competitors who have now become my friends."

Chisholm, his wife, Annie, daughters Alexandra, 8, and Elizabeth, 6, and stepson Richard, 18, reside in Howell. He said Richard and Alexandra show an interest in tree climbing.

"More women are entering competitions each year and will soon equal the number of men," he said. "I think it's great for women or men to learn tree-climbing skills and to appreciate the value of trees."

The International Society of Arboriculture was founded in 1924 and serves the tree care industry as a scientific and educational organization. It has as its mission to foster the greater awareness of the benefits of trees.

For more information about the ISA click on www.isa-arbor.com or to contact Chisholm click on www.mark@treebuzz. com.