Out on a Limb for Tree-Hugger Title

Mr Cozzitorto has been climbing and working with trees all his life, following in the footsteps of his father, who was a tree lopper.

“I broke an arm once when I was seven years old, swinging out of a tree, but it didn’t stop me,” Mr Cozzitorto said. “Dad was a tree lopper, so I helped him out from when I was 11 because he used to give me $20, which I thought was awesome at the time.”

“You always feel free up a tree, and there’s always a nice view. Every tree gives you a different view and a different challenge.”

Mr Cozzitorto is representing North Queensland in the Australian and Pacific Island Tree Climbing Championships after winning a place in the Cairns heats.

“I’ve been in the nationals several times before, and I’ve placed in the North Queensland and state competitions,” he said. “The competition is about getting all of us climbers together to hone our skills and see how fast we can get up the trees, but there’s more to it than just climbing.”

“The rules are complex, and competitors take part in several different events.”

One of those events is the throwline competition, where climbers throw a weighted line over selected branches before ascending the tree.

“You get points for each target you reach within the time limit,” Mr Cozzitorto said. “There are about 35 competitors. I’m aiming for the top 10, but the top five would be awesome — and first place, well, that would be unreal.”