ATLANTA, Ga. — The 2026 North American Tree Climbing Championship (NATCC) will be a site to remember, thanks to The Davey Tree Expert Company’s new SEED Campus.
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is excited to partner with the Ohio Chapter ISA and The Davey Tree Expert Company for the upcoming NATCC in May 2026. The Davey Tree SEED (Science, Employee Education and Development) Campus is nearly 200 acres dedicated to specialized training and research facilities. At this state-of-the-art facility, the NATCC will highlight arborists’ climbing prowess, innovative techniques, safety practices and cutting-edge equipment.
“Davey Tree has been a longstanding Gold Canopy Partner with ISA, and we are so excited to partner with them through one of our Tree Climbing Championships,” ISA CEO and Executive Director Caitlyn Pollihan said. “We appreciate Davey’s generosity in opening up the SEED Campus for the 2026 North American Tree Climbing Championship, and we look forward to promoting arboriculture through this competitive and educational platform.”
The SEED Campus opened in the summer of 2025, and the facilities include a 70,000-square-foot training center with new classrooms, laboratories, offices, event center and a 10,700-square-foot indoor, at-height climbing training center. Research opportunities at the campus include a 35-acre dedicated tree research area in addition to environmental research at an on-campus bog, solar panels, golf turf and more.
“As proud ISA partners, Davey is thrilled to be hosting the 2026 North American Tree Climbing Championship at our Kent, Ohio, campus,” Chairman, president and CEO Pat Covey at Davey Tree said. “Our new SEED Campus was built to revolutionize training and research in the industry, and we’re looking forward to welcoming ISA members and the public to experience it firsthand. ISA continues to be a driving force for growth and excellence in arboriculture, and we’re proud to support its mission.”
NATCC will be an exciting time in the Northeast Ohio community as it is open and free to the public. This will be a rare occasion where the SEED Campus will welcome individuals beyond the Davey Tree staff.
“Bringing the North American Tree Climbing Championship to Ohio is an honor for the Ohio Chapter ISA and a testament to the strength of our arboriculture community,” Ohio Chapter ISA
Executive Director Dixie Russell said. “We’re proud to have the new Davey SEED Campus that provides a platform that celebrates both the science and the athleticism of professional tree care.”
The NATCC will feature events such as Aerial Rescue, Work Climb, Ascent, Belayed Speed Climb and Throwline. These events will highlight skill, technique and athleticism while reinforcing the critical importance of safety and proper tree care.
First, second and third places will be awarded for both men and women in each event. The competitors' total scores for all five events are then combined, and the male and female competitors with the highest combined score from the preliminary events move on to the Masters' Challenge.
The Masters' Challenge consists of one event with scores based on technique and skill. The competitors in this round with the highest score are named the male and female NATCC Champions. The winners of the 2026 NATCC will go on to compete in the 50th Annual International Tree Climbing Championship in St. Louis, Missouri.
For more information about NATCC, visit itcc-isa.com, and for more information about the SEED Campus, visit Davey.com/SEED.
ABOUT ISA
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., U.S., is an international nonprofit professional organization dedicated to promoting the importance of arboriculture and educating the public about the significance of trees and the value of their proper care. As part of ISA’s advancing the arboriculture profession, it offers the only internationally‐recognized certification program in the industry, including ISA Certified Arborist ®. For more information about ISA and Certified Arborists, visit www.isa-arbor.com.
The Davey Tree Expert Company, headquartered in Kent, Ohio, provides research-driven tree services, grounds maintenance and environmental and utility infrastructure consulting for residential, utility, commercial and environmental partners in the U.S. and Canada. As one of the top ten largest employee-owned companies in the U.S., Davey's 12,000 employees have been dedicated to creating and delivering sustainable solutions since 1880. Apply today to join the Davey legacy, and learn about how we're growing with our new SEED Campus.
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