Festival of Trees Event Bigger and Better

On May 7 the second annual Minnesota Festival of Trees celebration was rolled out at beautiful Como Park on the near north side of St. Paul. Sponsored by your MSA and the St. Paul Parks and Recreation Department, the event was a tremendous success. Rainbow Treecare participated as a key partner in developing and supporting the event.

The Minnesota Festival of Trees is the brain child of MSA’s Commercial Arborist Committee which developed the initial concept and brought all of the pieces together. In addition to the wonderful arboriculture displays and presentations that distinguished the 2004 program, this spring’s event featured the addition of the state Tree Climbing Championship competition. And what an addition it turned out to be. The marriage of the two events proved to be a real winner.

While the Tree Climbing Championship (TCC) events took place throughout the morning and afternoon hours, a variety of Festival of Trees activities ran concurrently. These events and attractions included the following: live music with the Teddy Bear band, the Kid’s Tree Climbing area (a real hit- with real gear), the “Ask the Arborists” information booth (along with 18 other key public information booths), free bucket truck rides for everyone interested, a native American drum and dance group, great outdoor equipment displays, and the traditional Arbor Day observance tree planting ceremony. Elmer the Elm even showed up for the fun.

Organizers from the (CAC) Commercial Arborists Committee said that the sometimes rainy weather may have limited the crowds. However, the turnout and enthusiasm during the entire day was terrific. Proceeds from sponsors and other venders totaled in the area of $13,000 to help in covering programming costs and for funding future worthy events. The CAC also sponsors an annual service project in the fall, having donated pruning services to the Veterans Administration Hospital and the Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

The Master’s Challenge winner, in the Men’s TCC division, was Pierce Wasmund (Northern Arborists). Women’s Division champion was Rebecca Richardson (Asplundh Tree Experts Company). The other Men’s finalists included: Rob Juetten (St. Croix Tree Service); Ben Cooper (Rainbow Treecare); and Robert Lee (Tree Climbing Team USA). The women’s runner up was Rebecca Seibel-Hunt (Majestic Tree Care, Inc.).

The individual category winners for the Men included the following: Work Climb – Rob Juetten (St. Croix Tree Service); Arial Rescue – Pierce Wasmund (Northern Arborists); Throwline – Rob Juetten (St. Croix Tree Service); Belayed Speed Climb - David Kolstad (Rainbow Treecare); and Secured Footlock – Tony Sackett (Tree Climbing Team USA). Since only two women competed in the entire competition, individual category awards were not presented.

The Minnesota Festival of Trees celebration was created to promote public awareness for the proper care of trees in the urban forest. The state Tree Climbing Championship provides a forum for the most talented of our Minnesota climbers, with the Masters Challenge winner going forward to the International Championships the following year.

Rainbow Treecare has been a contributing developer of the Festival of Trees celebration since its inception. Rainbow has consistently participated in the annual Minnesota Tree Climbing Championship competitions.

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