Climbers' Corner • Tree Academy
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday
Tree Supported Structures: Zip Lines, Canopy Tours, and Treehouses: Understanding The Arborist's Role
Summary
This talk will explore the roles and opportunities for arborists who work with people building various types of structures in trees. Scott Baker has been giving talks on tree biology and tree structural adaptation to treehouse builders at the World Treehouse Association Conference (WTAC) for over 15 years. During that time, interest in treehouses has grown steadily, with a number of companies designing and building them commercially.
The Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) originally was formed to organize people who build “Ropes Courses,” now commonly called “Challenge Courses.” Zip line installations are a common element in these courses, and the zip line industry has become a large component of the ACCT’s membership. The ACCT now has an ANSI Standard in place, and it is working on refining this document.
The 2012 ACCT conference drew 970 attendees, and companies designing and building zip lines—many using trees for support—were a large presence at the conference. There is tremendous interest in arboriculture among those in this group. Scott spoke at this event and was overwhelmed by the interest in his knowledge of trees. In 2013, he will be giving an all-day, pre-conference workshop at the ACCT conference.
At ISA’s Toronto conference, Scott’s presentation will cover the methods currently used for attaching structures to trees; design considerations when trees will be used; examples of installations that are up and running; and what arborists need to know to help these people preserve the trees that are their key infrastructure. This will be an interesting and eye-opening talk that will engage the audience and introduce them to this rapidly growing tree management challenge.
Conference Proceedings Documents
Presenters
Scott D. Baker is a Registered Consulting Arborist
with the American Society of Consulting Arborists, a Board Certified Master
Arborist under the International Society of Arboriculture Certification
Program, and a Certified Tree Risk Assessor with 38 years’ experience in
arboriculture. A successful developer of
urban historic building renovations and a residential community, Scott utilizes
knowledge of site management issues, building codes, and construction. He has studied with some of the world’s
leading tree scientists and has an in-depth knowledge of tree biology and anatomy,
as well as expert witness training. He
is in demand as a speaker and educator in tree diagnostics, trees and
construction, and urban forest issues.
Scott worked as an Outward Bound Instructor. In 1977 he worked for ACCT's Mike Fischesser
at NC Outward Bound building a "ropes course" in a big hickory tree.
For the last fifteen years he has helped people building tree houses better
understand their foundations. As the
principal consulting arborist with Tree Solutions Inc. in Seattle, Washington,
Scott provides a variety of specialty services and consulting to private,
municipal, and corporate clients.
Climbers' Corner • Tree Academy
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday