Pro Climb: Our Company
Pro Climb t/a Pro Climb is a company of skilled arborists providing tree care, tree climbing and horticultural abseiling services.
In this blog I will take the time to introduce the Pro Climb team to you and to share the backgrounds of our experienced and passionate team of professional tree climbers!
Pro Climb was founded as a contract climbing and professional development venture in 2009. After a fun few years climbing trees and teaching Rossy realised he was getting older and needed to start creating a real business. In January 2016 he added the Pro Climb brand to the portfolio addressing the needs of the small commercial and residential tree owner.
A Team of Professional Tree Climbers
Since then we have grown to a company with 10 employees. We work for city councils, schools, kinder gardens, private landowners, trusts, commercial landowner, property managers, utility providers.
We also supply tree climbing experts for lighting events and the film and advertising industry.
Who is on The Pro Climb Team?
Below is a quick bio provided by each member of the team. We wanted to share with you our passion, experience and love for this job. So here we are, introducing the Pro Climb team…
Andreas (Rossy) Ross / Managing Director
I’m Rossy the managing director of Pro Climb Limited – Pro Climb.
My company is based in Auckland, New Zealand and specialises in tree climbing, horticultural abseiling, general tree care and tree management.
I hold qualifications in forestry, arboriculture, and industrial rope access. My passion for a safer work environment in arboriculture helped me develop safety and training concepts that I share through training days and workshops. I am a consultant to Auckland Council, Food and Plant Research, Primary ITO and an expert witness to Worksafe.
I am particularly interested in the safety of everyone involved with trees – from the arborist working on trees, to the public passing below them. This requires a thorough knowledge of the risks associated with tree work, as well as the management of trees as low-risk assets. While risk is an inevitable part of our lives it can certainly be managed and reduced to an acceptable level.
In my free time, I love being outside for tramping, running and walking. I try to take beautiful photos (not very successful), and I am always keen to catch up for a cuppa with people.
Rebecca (Becks) Stuart / Business Support
I’m Becks, and I provide business support to the Pro Climb team through HR work, administration, whatever is needed! I work in the virtual space, so stay in touch with Rossy and the team over the phone and internet, and pop in for meetings when needed.
In the past I have worked for many different industries but this is my first time in the Arborist space – I’m learning so much and I love it!
What I enjoy the most, though, is the unique personalities you’ll find in the Pro Climb team. These guys love what they do and their passion shows. The crew have a lot of fun when they’re on the tools, and the business is always looking at ways to grow, develop and be innovative. Rossy is an inspirational person to work for who is always moving forward, so it’s only natural he’d bring in a crew who are the same, right?
Life’s busy with a young family, my 3 kids keep me on my toes! I love being involved in their crazy lives, but equally love getting out around all the Foodie spots in Auckland with my husband and our friends & family (and leaving the kids at home!). We live in such a special country, and we’re so lucky to be able to have the freedom to explore it in so many different ways.
Ben Gray / Project Team Leader
My name is Ben Gray I am 28 years old and I am a Project Team Leader at Pro Climb Pro Climb.
I started an apprenticeship to become a Level 4 Arborist when I finished school at 17. I love my career choice and have enjoyed working in New Zealand and overseas.
I was first exposed to Arboriculture while I was at high school when one of my good friend’s fathers was a qualified Arborist on Great Barrier Island. I was very interested in the work he did and always loved climbing trees. His influence and lots of YouTube videos helped pave the way to starting my apprenticeship.
Everyone in the Arboriculture community knows Andreas (Rossy) Ross. He is well known for being a great guy but also for his climbing skills, his company Pro Climb Tree Care, and his eye for good practice and vigorous health and safety. It was an easy choice for me to decide to work for Pro Climb as I understand the need for good practice and health and safety, especially in our industry.
My goal as an Arborist is to own/run a successful business within the next 5-10 years. As well as adding to my property portfolio I will also like to be still climbing at a high level in this time frame. Staying fit and strong is essential in our industry.
When I’m not working at Pro Climb, I enjoy surfing and fishing. Living in Auckland city makes these hobbies difficult, but I always seem to find the time. Tree climbing is another hobby that I want to do more of. All Arborists love a good swing through an open canopy.
Chelsea Robertson / Project Team Leader
My name is Chelsea Robertson. I have been an Arborist for five years, and without knowing it, I have stumbled into my dream job. Right out of high school, I started at Auckland University to study Early Childhood Education and went on to be a teacher in West Auckland for five years. At that time, it felt like I had found my dream job and that was going to be it… Fast forward through a bunch of questionable life decision, and I find myself in Dunedin without a job.
I started at the Otago Polytechnic studying Horticulture, but at the end of the day, I would see this van load of students return with big gear bags and chainsaws. They also looked really cool! I had to find out what course this was and if I could get in. Without even really knowing what an Arborist was (apart of cool looking) I had put my name down and would start the following year. My first year was one of the best years of my life; It was filled with so much passion right from the very beginning.
I am now heavily involved with the tree climbing community, and this year I will be organising the Auckland regional climbing competition in Auckland. At home, I am pretty crafty and enjoy knitting, cross-stitch, art and quilt making.
I am now lucky to start a new chapter of my life with Pro Climb, and I am very excited about the future and what new challenges and learning it holds. In the future, I hope to marry my love of Arboriculture and education.
William (Will) Phillips / Senior Crew Leader
I have been an arborist for 10 years.
Although I have always had an affinity for nature and when I saw an amazing tree, I always had a sudden urge to climb, as a little kid or even as a not so little kid. It never dawned on me that I could have a career working with and caring for trees. Only until I helped out an arborist mate on one of his jobs did I catch the bug and have never looked back.
In arboriculture every job is different. We are faced with different challenges every day, which keeps it fresh. The views we get to witness, the tools and machinery we use, the thrill of swinging around a tree and being able to use a whole range of techniques learned to get a job done safely.
Also, the arb industry is full of like-minded, passionate, friendly, compassionate people who all look out for each other. It has a real buzz about it.
Pro Climb is a company that fits my morals and values. As a “tree care company” we really do just that, care for the health and well being of trees. Most of our work is in an urban environment which brings its challenges, but working with trees and helping trees fit in with people and our busy lives is always rewarding. It fun educating non-tree people how much of an asset trees can be and the benifits for there prperties and public spaces.
With climbing trees being a “young man’s game” is getting harder to deny, I should be looking to take my existing career in a new direction, but to be honest, in 5 years I’ll probably be still climbing trees.
My children keep me busy most of the time, but with 80% of my downtime I can’t sit still so I like being outdoors one way or another which could be at the beach, climbing trees, walking, running, out with friends etc but also playing the guitar, watching movies, documentaries, yoga, meditation and food.
Hiroshi (Hiro) Ikeno / Crew Leader
Hi, my name is Hiroshi (Hiro) Ikeno. I am a Crew Leader at Pro Climb Pro Climb.
Originally from Japan, I moved to NZ to become an arborist.
It’s been 8 years since I earned my qualifications. I always follow the rules of best practice. I’m small and light. This works to my advantage when it comes to pruning trees. No matter if your tree is big or small, I will provide you with top-notch professional tree care.
Colm Carty / Crew Leader
Arboriculture wasn’t supposed to be my career, in 2008 was about to start a university course in Irish History and Cultural Studies when my brother started his own arboriculture business. Due to a shortage of workers in the Arb industry I deferred my university course for a year to lend a hand. I enjoyed working with trees and after two years I declined my university course to continue my arboricultural career.
When moving from Ireland to New Zealand I had a lot of companies to choose from. Pro Climb had a great reputation among the arborist community and a reputation for developing staff skills. I could see from my research that Pro Climb had a very high standard of work which in turn constantly challenges me to learn and improve. It is a bonus there is a great atmosphere at Pro Climb and I have a lot of fun working there.
I’m hoping to stay in New Zealand, I find it difficult to say where I’ll be in five years because arboriculture can lead to many choices. I am environmentally minded and have an interest in the processes of keeping urban environments green.
I spend most of my free time travelling around New Zealand in my camper van. I try to do as many outdoor activities as I can squeeze in. Mostly hiking (tramping), kayaking and swimming. When winter rolls around, I am partial to visiting nearby breweries and seeing what gigs and musicals are showing.
Kayne Prior / Arborist
Hi I’m Kayne, I just turned 30 and I live in a little cottage in Kawakawa Bay. I live with my wife Lucy, my one-year-old daughter Skye and our fur baby, Ruby the “vizsla”.
I’m a qualified Arborist at Pro Climb and I am very passionate about trees.
My favourite parts of the job are retaining trees and planning out a climb either for pruning, weight reduction or deadwood removal.
I also like climbing trees competitively in the NZ Arb comps held throughout NZ.
Dillon Tooth / Arborist
I started working as an Arborist in 2014.
Before becoming an Arborist I was working odd unfulfilling jobs. At the time I was dating a beautiful woman from a very traditional family and I thought it was about time I asked her to marry me.
Before I could ask her though I knew I need a “Career”, something I could do for the rest of my life. A job I could grow in, a job I could be proud to tell others I had. I didn’t just want to do something id enjoy, I wanted to do something I had a natural talent for, I wanted to do something I could excel in. One day my girlfriend at the time was working in the Auckland Domain helping put lanterns up for the Chinese lantern festival where she saw Arborists climbing around in the trees putting up lanterns. When she told me about it I knew instantly that that was something I wanted to do, something I could be good at.
Becoming an Arborist ticked every box. It was a ‘respectable’ career choice. I wouldn’t be stuck in an office for the rest of my life. I would stay fit and healthy and there were so many different paths I could take once I invested in the career. The job would be challenging and exciting and it felt like the beginning of a real adventure.
So I chose a career as an Arborist to marry a beautiful woman and to live a life that was exciting and fulfilling.
Before I worked for Pro Climb I worked for another Arborist company for 4 years. The company I worked for used to get Pro Climb in to do a lot of their tricky jobs so I was really lucky to be able to work with them and learn from them at the beginning of my apprenticeship. Pro Climb were the best, the best of the best and who wouldn’t want to work for the best?
The longer I worked in the arboricultural industry the more that was confirmed. Pro climb were known In industry for having integrity, they wouldn’t just butcher trees because someone wanted a better view. The health of the tree was always a priority. Pro Climb were also leaders in health and safety, there’s no other small Arborist company in New Zealand who’s health and safety protocol and procedures come close to Pro Climbs.
Where I see myself in five years changes so much. There’s a saying ‘man makes plans and god laughs’ or something like that. For the moment I’m happy riding the wave of life and seeing where it takes me. Hopefully somewhere fun. 🙂
When I’m not at work I like to make music and hang out with my friends. Im always on the look out for a bit of adventure so I like to go for bush walks when I can or go exploring somewhere new.
Tom Houghton / Arborist
Kia Ora, I’m Tom. When the sun’s up I try and make the most of it; surfing, cycling and exploring the incredible native landscapes we have here in NZ.
I love all kinds of music and everything that comes with it; gigs, festivals, nights out with friends, and getting down on the dance floor.
In early 2018 I embarked on my arboricultural journey with Wintec, here my interest in trees became an obsession. I can’t go anywhere without pointing out the biggest and best specimens, criticizing pruning cuts and trying to I.D. anything unfamiliar.
In 2019 I was lucky enough to work alongside some of the worlds best arborists collecting seeds for Kauri dieback research, through these guys I met Rossy and the team at Pro Climb. The best part of working at Pro Climb for me has been the sharing; work, knowledge, gear, beers and the shared respect for each other. Our team has a refreshing, positive vibe making an awesome job even better.
I reckon arborists are some of the few people who wake up stoked for work every morning, we have a strong team here, and I’m pretty chuffed to be a part of it.
Jayesh (Yeshe) Ravji / Junior Arborist
I am Yeshe and I started my career in arboriculture mid-2019; after a number years in and out of travel, hustling it as a photographer, barista and busker. I eventually found that in an urban environment, there was a profession that combined my background in ecology and conservation.
My love for the outdoors and climbing, and also satisfied my appreciation of a pleasing aesthetic. I was to become an arborist, so I went on the hunt for a suitable position.
The result of the seach was to have found and happily landed with an employer with shared values of conservation and preservation as well as putting safety always at the forefront of any action.
Outside of Pro Climb I pursues photography, supporting local artists and musicians, and learning to juggle clubs of fire and balance them on my nose.”
Professional Tree climbers and Horticultural Abseilers
All of our climbers are qualified and receive regular professional development training.
We can provide a range of at height services from aesthetic tree pruning, canopy research, abseil planting to large crane assisted emergency tree removals.
We enjoy sharing tree and climbing related information, news and events within our community. Stay in touch with us via Facebook and our monthly newsletter. Call or email to book safe, reliable and efficient tree climbers and horticultural abseilers.
Keep up to date on our company here: https://www.proclimb.co.nz/news/
Thanks to the team for taking the time to support creating this blog!
