Take a bough: Climbing takes relationship with B.C.’s trees to the next level

Standing atop a grand fir tree, fifty meters above the ground, the rigidity of the world at ground level dissipates. This unique experience, billed at $205.00 plus GST for a year, allows participants to forge a deeper bond with B.C.'s forests. The annual subscription renews automatically, 10% off the regular price of $259.35, with cancellation possible at any time.

Tom Zadorsky, a tree-climbing guide, recounts the awe-inspiring views from the canopy. "Up here we can see the new growth. This is all from this season," he notes, pointing to clusters of upright cones on the uppermost branch of the 150-year-old tree. "You can sort of see the refresh, especially in the spring, which is quite nice."

Zadorsky, a certified arborist, has led over 1,000 people into the treetops since launching the tours last May. He aims to awaken a climbers' inner child and provide a fresh perspective on B.C.'s forests. "I think that you bring someone up here to 40 or 50 meters off the ground — it really does leave an impression. I hope that through the discussions that we have in the canopy, people are leaving a little bit more educated and engaged," he says.

The experience is not merely a fun activity or a way to step out of one's comfort zone. It fosters an intimate relationship with trees and leaves a lasting impression. Zadorsky recounts the story of a 92-year-old client, a volunteer caring for the UBC botanical garden, who was overwhelmed and wept when she finally saw the forest from above. "We’ve also celebrated a grandmother’s 80th birthday in the tree," says Zadorsky.

Associate dean Guangyu Wang of UBC's forest resources management department emphasizes the importance of forest literacy in the face of increasing wildfires. "Better forest literacy helps communities make more informed decisions about wildfire prevention, preparedness, conservation, management and recovery," he adds.

Dee Ann Benard, director of UBC Botanical Garden, has taken three climbing tours with Zadorsky and fondly recalls watching the sunset over the Salish Sea from the canopy. "The garden includes some old-growth trees, 600 to 800 years old," she says, explaining that the oldest trees were spared during logging because of imperfections.

While not every individual needs to take a tour to climb a tree, Steve Gosselin, an engineer and father of three from Kelowna, B.C., recently climbed a 40-meter-tall Sequoia on the median of Cambie Street in Vancouver. He was captivated by the "incredible" views of the city, ocean, and mountains. "For example, just gripping a different surface of wood is almost a more intimate experience," Gosselin reflects.