A Full-Circle Moment for a St. Louis Arborist
Turner Tree Specialists is proud to announce that founder and lead arborist E.J. Turner has been crowned the 2026 Midwest Tree Climbing Champion, earning first place in both the preliminary events and the prestigious Master’s Challenge at the Midwest Tree Climbing Championship (MWTCC) held in Kirkwood, Missouri.
The victory secures E.J.’s place at the upcoming International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC), which will be hosted this October at Tower Grove Park in St. Louis.
For many competitors, winning a chapter championship is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. For E.J., this year’s victory carries an even deeper meaning.
Not only does it mark his fifth Midwest Championship, but it also represents a remarkable full-circle journey that began nearly two decades ago right here in St. Louis.
What Is the Midwest Tree Climbing Championship?
The Midwest Tree Climbing Championship is organized through the Midwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and brings together approximately 50 of the region’s most skilled climbing arborists.
The competition is designed to test the same skills professional arborists use every day while working in trees, including:
- Safe climbing techniques
- Work positioning
- Aerial rescue procedures
- Equipment handling
- Efficiency in the canopy
- Decision-making under pressure
Competitors navigate a series of challenging events that simulate real-world tree care scenarios. The highest-scoring climbers advance to the Master’s Challenge, where the overall chapter champion is determined.
This year, E.J. finished first in the preliminary events before capturing first place in the final round to earn the title of Midwest Tree Climbing Champion.
A Fifth Championship Title
With this victory, E.J. adds another championship to an already impressive competitive climbing career.
His five Midwest Chapter championships now span 2011, 2016, 2021, 2023, and 2026.
Each victory earned him the opportunity to compete at the international level, taking him to competitions throughout the United States as well as Canada and Australia. Throughout his career, competitive climbing has allowed him to learn from some of the world’s best arborists while continually refining the skills he brings to clients throughout the St. Louis area.
While the championships are exciting, E.J. sees them as more than just a competition.
The events test the same techniques we use every day as arborists. They challenge us to become safer, more efficient, and more effective professionals.
Those improvements translate directly into better service for homeowners, property managers, and municipalities throughout the communities Turner Tree Specialists serves.
From Spectator to Competitor: A Story 18 Years in the Making
What makes this championship especially meaningful is the story behind it.
When the International Tree Climbing Championship came to St. Louis in 2008 at Forest Park, E.J. attended as a spectator.
Watching elite climbers from around the world compete opened his eyes to what professional arboriculture could become. The event sparked a passion that would shape the course of his career.
At the time, he could not have imagined that one day he would become a five-time Midwest Champion and earn the opportunity to compete on that same international stage.
Now, 18 years later, the ITCC is returning to St. Louis, and E.J. will be competing in it.
For him, it’s more than a championship qualification – it’s a full-circle moment!
The city where he first discovered competitive climbing is now the city where he will represent the Midwest Chapter against the best arborists from around the world.
Why the 2026 International Tree Climbing Championship Is Historic
This year’s International Tree Climbing Championship carries significance far beyond the competition itself.
The 2026 event marks the 50th anniversary of the ITCC.
The very first International Tree Climbing Championship was held in St. Louis in 1976, making this year’s return particularly special for the arboriculture community.
Over the past five decades, the ITCC has traveled across North America and around the globe, bringing together elite climbing arborists to promote safety, education, innovation, and excellence in tree care.
The championship returned to St. Louis once before in 2008, and that event inspired E.J. to pursue competitive climbing.
Now, in a fitting twist, he will compete in the championship’s golden anniversary event in the same city where his competitive journey began.
What Is the International Tree Climbing Championship?
The International Tree Climbing Championship is the premier tree climbing competition in the world.
Hosted by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the event showcases the highest levels of professional arboricultural skill and safety.
The ISA’s mission is to advance the professional practice of arboriculture and promote a greater worldwide awareness of the many benefits trees provide through research, education, and technology.
Each ISA chapter conducts regional championships to determine its champion. Those winners then advance to the ITCC, where they compete against top arborists from around the world.
Simply qualifying for the event places competitors among the most accomplished climbing arborists in the industry.
What Competitive Climbing Means for Our Clients
Many people ask how tree climbing competitions relate to everyday tree care.
The answer is simple. The same skills tested in competition are the skills required to safely care for trees in real-world situations.
At Turner Tree Specialists, much of our work involves navigating large mature trees, engineering complex rigging systems, performing precision pruning, and safely removing hazardous trees in locations where heavy equipment cannot reach.
Competitive climbing reinforces:
- Safety awareness
- Technical climbing ability
- Problem-solving skills
- Equipment proficiency
- Work efficiency
- Rescue preparedness
These are the same skills that help protect our clients’ homes, landscapes, and trees every day.
When a climber is operating 70 feet above a roof, every movement matters. The discipline developed through championship-level competition helps ensure that work is performed with the highest level of care and professionalism.
A Legacy Rooted in Arboriculture
Tree care is more than a profession for the Turner family. It is a legacy.
Turner Tree Specialists was founded by brothers E.J. and Jason Turner, both third-generation arborists who grew up immersed in the tree care industry. Their grandfather, J.W. Turner, and father, Bob Turner, dedicated their lives to caring for trees throughout the St. Louis region and helped instill the values that continue to guide the company today.
That legacy continues through a commitment to:
- Proper tree care practices
- Continuing education
- Industry certifications
- Safety-first operations
- Tree preservation whenever possible
- Exceptional service to clients
Winning championships is an honor, but the ultimate goal remains the same: helping people care for the trees they value most.
Looking Ahead to October
As preparations begin for the International Tree Climbing Championship this fall, the Turner Tree Specialists team is excited to represent both the Midwest Chapter and the St. Louis community on an international stage.
The opportunity to compete in front of friends, family, clients, and fellow arborists in our hometown makes this year’s event especially meaningful.
We are grateful for the support of our clients and community and look forward to sharing updates as E.J. prepares for the ITCC at Tower Grove Park.
About Turner Tree Specialists
Turner Tree Specialists is a family-owned tree care company serving St. Louis, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Clayton, Ladue, Chesterfield, South County, Northern Jefferson County, and surrounding communities. Founded by third-generation arborists E.J. and Jason Turner, the company provides expert tree pruning, tree removal, plant health care, tree risk assessment, cabling and bracing, emergency tree services, and specialty climbing operations.
Guided by industry best practices and a passion for arboriculture, Turner Tree Specialists helps clients protect their trees, property, and peace of mind.
Schedule a Consultation
Whether you need expert pruning, tree risk assessment, storm damage cleanup, or a consultation with a Certified Arborist, our team is here to help.
Contact Turner Tree Specialists today or call 314-422-2404 to schedule a consultation and experience the difference that expertise, passion, and integrity can make for your trees.