Tree trimming competition combines learning safety, fun

By Melissa McCaghren

Slatonite GM

Drivers going down 9th St. Friday may have been a little concerned about all the yellow tape on the City Hall square, especially with a human shaped figure in one of the trees and lots of people in yellow shirts.

No crime had been committed – Hildebrant Tree Tech was using the practice dummy as well as competing in several tree trimming contests in a local contest.

Casey Hildebrant, owner of the company, said it was a local tree climbing competition, and they were happy to host it in Slaton. This goes double as they spend the early part of August trimming the trees on the square.

“We were blessed with the opportunity to have actually pruned all these trees recently this summer, and my brother was talking to the appropriate parties here (to have the contest),” he said. “Nice sized trees, obviously beautiful park and now they’re all pruned so they’re safe for competition,” he said, adding they avoid trees that have significant dead limbs or potentially underlying structural issues. “This presented a great opportunity because we knew the trees were in good condition.”

For more information, please read the the Thursday edition of The Slatonite.