North American Tree Climbing Championship (NATCC)
Date:
May 15, 2026 - May 17, 2026
Location:
Davey SEED Campus, Kent, Ohio, UNITED STATES
Organizer:
Ohio Chapter ISA (OCISA)
Description:
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 on May 15 -17, 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.”
Contact Name:
ISA Events Team
Start Date:
8:00 AM, May 15, 2026
End Date:
5:00 PM, May 17, 2026
Address:
Davey SEED Campus
Kent
Ohio
44240
UNITED STATES