The ISA 2025 North American Tree Climbing Championship (NATCC) will be held from 21 March to 23 in New Braunfels, Texas.

Not only will this be the first tree climbing championship of 2025, but it will also mark the return of NATCC after taking a break to allow the competition to better align with the annual tree climbing championship schedule and provide no interruption in competition qualifiers.

The last NATCC occurred in 2023 in Garfield Park in Washington, D.C., with 48 climbers. Jeff Inman from the Mid-Atlantic ISA Chapter and Marilou Dussault from the Society of International Arboriculture Quebec were the winners of the 2023 NATCC Masters’ Challenge.

The ISA 2023 NATCC was the second time Inman won the competition and the fifth time Dussault won.

"It's always nice to walk away with the win," Inman said. "The feeling of accomplishment from all the hard work and seeing it pay off that way is great."

Although he won, Inman, he said that a big part of competing for many climbers is the opportunity to improve on their craft and learn from people who have faced different challenges.

“I love this game, this industry, and the people that make it up,” he said. “I've met my best friends, literally in the world, through this, and that only happened by showing up and being willing to have fun. Sure, we all want to perform at our highest level, but the community makes that cream rise to the top by being together in these events. Knowing that my friends are out there training and practicing pushes me out the door to practice as well.”

This year’s event is sure to be just as exciting and educational. Located between San Antonio and Austin, Texas, New Braunfels offers natural beauty and historic charm, making it the perfect spot to celebrate trees and the people who care for them.

Follow ISA and NATCC on social media and visit our website for the latest news. Let’s gather in New Braunfels to celebrate the skill, dedication, and heart that make arboriculture extraordinary.