Callum Braithwaite

Full Name: Callum Braithwaite

 

Age: 30

 

Where do you currently live? Fife, Scotland

 

Company Name: Squirrely Tree Care

 

Field of expertise (arboriculture, forestry, carver etc): Arboriculture, with a big focus on veteran tree management.

 

How Long have you worked in this industry? I started working as a groundy full time in 2007, studied Arboriculture from ‘09-’11 and have been working as a climber full time since. So nearly 14 years now.

 

Favorite climbing system? It’s horses for courses really, but a friction hitch based system and the adaptability it offers makes it a winner in my books. I sometimes use a Spiderjack 3 and it’s a great device and a blast to use.

 

What is your favorite tree? I don’t think species or size matter as much to me as age. Old trees are when they really get interesting.

 

Highest tree you have climbed?

A 64m Grand fir in Scotland.

 

Have you had any close calls? If yes, what happened?

Sure, but nothing terribly exciting really. I broke my shoulder once, but it was falling off my push bike into a ditch full of brambles that did it.

 

What is your hidden talent?

Pizza. I don’t want to blow my own trumpet too hard but I do a damn good pizza. I love a power ballad and have my Gloria Gaynor down pretty good.

When you’re not climbing trees what are your other interest/hobbies.?

Over the years I’ve done a lot of caving and climbing, in the UK, Europe and beyond. I was heavily involved with a caving expedition with the potential for an 1800m+ deep cave, and look forward to returning there when ‘all this’ has calmed down.

We’ve just moved to a new house overlooking a large river, and we’re getting my grandparents' 30 year old canoe in the spring. I’m hoping it still floats, and if so I’m sure we’ll be getting out for some multi day adventures in that.

Splicing in my spare time