The Arboricultural Association is pleased to reveal that the winner of this year’s Association Award is Jo Hedger.
In recognition of her significant and positive contribution to the arboricultural profession, Jo was presented with the award by Michelle Ryan at the opening day of the 2024 Arboricultural Association Conference at the University of Warwick.
Jo Hedger went to her first ISA competition when it was held at the Highclere Arb Association tradeshow in 2005. Since winning her first world title in St. Louis in 2008, Jo has volunteered her time organising climbing events and helping arborists share techniques and innovations, whilst also running Arbor Venture Tree Care, an Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor. Through her business she has demonstrated and promoted exemplary levels of professionalism. With a commitment to the highest levels of skill and safety over the years.
Jo has not only dedicated her career to growing a leading contracting business but also founded a training company to help provide the industry with more skilled and competent arborists. Jo founded Arbor Venture training alongside John Trenchard in 2005 and has developed a reputation as a skilled trainer too, with trainees describing her as an excellent teacher, being informative and patient while also possessing an infectious enthusiasm for the craft.
Jo is recognised as an outstanding ambassador for the tree care community in the UK and around the world. You could argue that she has done more than any figure in history to promote the practical side of the UK tree care industry, as its first truly global ambassador.
She is also a massive proponent of the Approved Contractor accreditation, even citing achieving the standard as a career highlight on a horticulture week podcast.
In 2023 Jo cemented her place in international climbing history by becoming the first woman to win 6 world championships and the first to win 3 consecutive world titles (2019, 2022, 2023). Jo herself credits the knowledge she has gained from consistently staying involved in the climbing community as crucial to her professional career progression.
Not only are Jo’s personal competition and professional achievements impressive because of her longevity in both, but also for the passion she has for sharing her knowledge and techniques. Jo is an inspirational figure to peers from all backgrounds thanks to her approachable and humble attitude which she’s always retained.
In one interview Jo acknowledged:
“I’ve learnt a huge amount by attending these events. Much of the equipment and many of the techniques that most people use today have come from the innovation of tree climbers at these competitions.”
Despite her consistent success, Jo is driven more by learning than winning accolades. “The events are an amazing way to learn from others and share techniques – you learn a lot from your mistakes, so winning isn’t the main outcome; attending and sharing knowledge is winning.”
Below is an excerpt from the nomination for Jo:
"I can’t think of a more deserving candidate and in the 60th anniversary year, it would be apt to acknowledge such a selfless and inspiring role model to the industry, who has kept themselves at the pinnacle of their craft for such a long time. I think it would also be a long overdue piece of recognition for the tree climbing competition community, and all the competitors' and volunteers' amazing achievements over the years, which have often gone relatively unheralded."