Fund4Trees is excited to announce the funding of a new research project by Alexander Laver ISA, BCMA of Tree Logic and Dr. James Shippen of Coventry University.

The project intends to map the body’s movements while tree climbing, utilising and comparing different techniques to analyse the pressure on both joints and muscles. The research should lead to a better understanding of how we use our bodies in the tree and how potential injuries are sustained, including the mechanisms for longer term injuries.

The results will be presented to the UK arboricultural industry and worldwide. The technology is truly unique in its application to the tree care industry and has been developed along with specific software provided by Coventry University (see video above), who have applied their techniques to car and equipment manufacturing as well as sports professionals and performers. This should be a turning point in our understanding of how we use and abuse our bodies during tree climbing activities.

Jack Kenyon, Co-opted Technical Advisor for Fund4Trees, said:

“The proposed research could substantially increase understanding of potential causes of physical stress related injury. This will improve training techniques for climbers and reduce the occurrence of chronic industrial injury.”

Fund4Trees trustee, Martin Gammie, said:

“This is exactly the type of practitioner-based research we need to produce in order to benefit arborists in our industry. It also makes a good case to support Fund4Trees via Donate1Job to further our research efforts.”