James Stapleton’s treetop Spiderman antics set him apart from your regular arborist. The tree feller is about to go head to head with the best tree climbers from Queensland in a state of origin battle of the fittest, fastest and most agile.

Five specialty events will be contested at the championship clash this weekend at Bangalow on the state’s far north coast and Stapleton expects the NSW team to put on a challenge for their competitors across the border.

“Our crew all have strengths in each different event,” Stapleton said.

“One of the boys is number one in the throw line and I should do pretty well in the speed climb. If we can win our individual events, we will do well.

“This is the first event of this kind so we should end some old rivalries.”

Stapleton is among the hot favourites in the speed climb challenge which tests strength and pace. He has competed in the event regularly at the Australian tree climbing titles and at his best has been ranked in the top seven nationally.

In the foot lock challenge, a tree climbing technique involving ropes, Stapleton can scale a tree in under 17 seconds. He will also be tested in the five station work climb category, a rescue challenge and have his accuracy put to the test in the throw line event.

Stapleton has been an arborist for 14 years and regularly competes in the International Society for Aborculture (ISA) events, using them as an opportunity to test his skills and knowledge but also learn from some of the best about the techniques of his trade.

The Mid North Coast will host a regional round of the tree climbing championships at Laurieton in September.