Mebane resident Patrick Brandt teaches tree climbing, installs swings, and rescues cats. “I am always looking for excuses to climb trees.” His interest grew out of geo-caching; some of the prizes were in treetops. Asking himself “How are they doing that?” led to his formal tree climbing training. He uses an eight foot long slingshot to get the first rope into the tree. Climbers use ropes, helmets, and harnesses; they ascend and descend with the help of a “magic knot.” Brandt notes that North Carolina trees grow big and tall in our long growing season which is ideal for his business, Piedmont Tree Climbing. He finds that in Orange County, there are “lots of people willing to do different things.” He says he will run out of time before the local interest in tree climbing is saturated.
