What's That Up in the Trees at Fernridge Park?

Those aren't monkeys up in the trees of Fernridge Park in West Hartford – they're professional tree climbers.

On Saturday, May 4, the West Hartford Department of Public Works is hosting the Connecticut Tree Protective Association's Tree Climbing Competition.

The purpose of the competition is to showcase tree care safety and tree climbing skills among Connecticut’s tree care professionals. Events include secured foot lock, throw line accuracy, belayed speed climb, work climb station, aerial rescue and Master’s Challenge.

Many of these are skills that public works professionals need to use as part of their day-to-day activities.

All tree climbers who are in good physical shape and have the necessary skills, male and female, working or residing in Connecticut, are invited to compete, according to the Town of West Hartford event listing. There will be separate divisions for male and female climbers, and the top competitors will be eligible for the ISA New England Climbing Competition of 2013.

Applications for the competition as well as additional information are on the CTPA website www.CTPA.org.

The event is free to spectators.

Tree climbing will begin at 7 a.m. and will last until 4 p.m. The Friends of Fernridge Park will also be holding a bake sale beginning at 9 a.m. to raise money for their clean-up work.