Tree-assisted therapy: Therapeutic and societal benefits from purpose-specific technical recreational tree-climbing programs

Abstract

This article explains how program design can increase the therapeutic and societal benefits from programs focused on technical recreational tree-climbing. We compare a recreational program with a tree-assisted therapy program that includes purpose-specific therapeutic, educational, and motivation elements. We find that the additional elements included in the tree-assisted therapy program were effective in enhancing the benefits from the tree-climbing activity. © 2008 International Society of Arboriculture.