On Saturday, June 14th, The Arborist Store team was thrilled to take part in a truly special occasion - the 10th annual WAO TreeFest, hosted by Women in Arboriculture Ontario (WAO). Held on a lush island in the heart of Victoria Park, Kitchener, this year’s event was the biggest yet, with 125 attendees, 32 volunteers, and a whole lot of arborist energy.

Our team - Jessica, Amanda, and Alex - proudly represented The Arborist Store as exhibitors, joining fellow vendors and industry professionals to celebrate growth, inclusion, and a decade of empowering arborists.

WAO TreeFest started as a grassroots effort to give women arborists a safe, encouraging space to gain confidence in tree climbing and technical skills - and it's blossomed into one of the most inspiring events in the industry. This year marked a major milestone: 10 TreeFests strong. To mark the occasion, the island was decked out in celebratory balloons, custom anniversary stickers, and the kind of community spirit that’s made this event what it is today.

WAO’s mission has always been about lifting people up - especially those who may not have had the opportunity or encouragement to get involved in tree climbing competitions. Thanks to their efforts, participation from women in the ISA Ontario Tree Climbing Competition is now consistently full - with even more spots being added.

WAO TreeFest 2025 featured several hands-on tree climbing stations, each designed to offer participants a chance to explore new techniques in a welcoming, low-pressure environment:

• Climb for All Ages – A great place for first-timers to get into the saddle and experience the joy of climbing.
• Hang Out Tree – A fun tree to experiment with gear, hang in the Treeboat, and blow bubbles with friends.
• Ascent Tree – Challenge your speed and test your limits in a vertical race to the top.
• Work Climb Tree – Simulate real work climbs with peer guidance and lots of support.
• Throwball Game – A light-hearted way to sharpen your aim and have some laughs.
• New in 2025: Aerial Rescue Station – This new station, led by ITCC Champion Krista Strating, offered live demos and insights into how Aerial Rescue is judged in competition — an incredible opportunity for anyone considering competitive climbing.

For those more interested in the science behind arboriculture, Lauren McLaughlin and Linda Hawkins hosted a Pest and Disease Seminar, complete with live samples and in-depth discussions. It was an ideal stop for climbers and ground techs alike who wanted to brush up on plant healthcare.

A catered lunch offered a perfect midday break - with delicious sandwiches and a special 10-year anniversary cake that kept the celebration sweet. Between bites, attendees visited the exhibitor booths, including The Arborist Store, Cardinal Equipment, The Davey Tree Expert Company, and The City of Kitchener.

We’d like to recognize the City of Kitchener, who went above and beyond to prepare the park. From tree pruning and log placement to thoughtful transportation support and free seedling giveaways, their effort made the day seamless and memorable.

At 3:00 PM, the community gathered one last time for thank-yous and prize giveaways, wrapping up a day full of growth, excitement, and camaraderie.

“For my first year, everyone’s been very friendly, very welcoming. I was kind of nervous about volunteering and not knowing what I was actually doing - and it’s worked out! The team that I am with, they are so awesome and chill.”
- Kimberly McIlrath, Volunteer, Work Climb Station

“I think it was so much fun. I mean, we got all the people out - even people who are not tree people - and we are on an island, so it feels good. I am having so much fun!”
- Karla Aguilar, Attendee

We’re proud to support and participate in events like WAO TreeFest that prioritize inclusion, education, and fun in the arborist community. A huge thank-you to the WAO Committee, the City of Kitchener, all the amazing volunteers, and our fellow sponsors and exhibitors.

Here’s to another 10 years of climbing together!

—
Jessica, Amanda & Alex
The Arborist Store Team

Stay connected with us and the arborist community by following @thearboriststore on Instagram for more event highlights, gear updates, and behind-the-scenes action.