Radio Taiwan International 
Date: 07 May, 2019
By: Paula Chao

Professional tree-climbing is a coveted job that pays well. Recently the National Taiwan University forest in central Taiwan’s Nantou County has hired professional tree climbers to pick Assam tea leaves and leaf buds.

At National Taiwan University’s forest in Nantou County, there are more than 300 tea bushes that supply leaves for making Assam tea. Each is over 60 years old, and the tallest reaches 10 meters high. They are so high that during harvesting season each year, professional tree climbers have to be called in to pick the tea buds.

Climbing trees for a living is lucrative, but it isn’t easy at all. Professional climbers must hold a cable firmly with both hands, moving upward step by step with all their tools attached to their waist.

One tree climber says a scary part about the job is hanging off the side of trees while picking fresh tea buds. There are no sturdy branches that can be used for support during this process.    [FULL  STORY]