Climbing trees has gone far beyond just a childhood hobby for Brisbane's Rebecca Barnes.

The reigning Australian Tree Climbing Women's Champion and Asia Pacific Women's Champion wants to do her country proud as one of the 50 competitors in the International Tree Climbing Championships in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this weekend.

Ms Barnes, from the inner suburb of Red Hill in Brisbane, said her work as an arborist over the past five years doing powerline clearing, consulting, reporting and management plans had prepared her well for the championships.

"People are very surprised, they don't consider it a job," the 29-year-old said.

"The first question they always ask is, 'how do you get the rope in the tree?'

"It's definitely a fun spectator sport but people don't actually know that arborists care for trees. It's an actual profession where tree health is promoted."

Professional tree climbing competitions began in 1976 with the International Society of Arboriculture Tree Trimmer's Jamboree in St Louis, Missouri.

Over the years, the championships have evolved to provide an opportunity for qualified arborists to participate in a competition that tested the knowledge and skill of a professional tree climber.

"Basically what we do is simulate our work environment by way of these five events, so we have a throw line event, a foot locking event, a speed climbing event an aerial rescue and a work climb, and basically we just climb around in trees," she said.

Rebecca Barnes honed her skills while working as an arborist on the Gold Coast. ( Supplied )

Ms Barnes said she could not wait to put her skills to the test - although she said it did not matter if she won.

"I'm really excited, I really can't wait to get there," she said.

"I've already done a bit of research into the trees we will be walking so I'm really keen just to get over there and have a climb."

Ms Barnes hoped her success would open up the industry to more women.

"Hopefully I represent women from Australia in a positive light and get a better connection for women in the industry, because we are a minority," she said.

"It would just be really good to meet the other women out there and then bring home what I learn to the Aussies."

Queensland Arboricultural Association president Glenn Walton hoped Ms Barnes's performance would encourage other women to get into the sport.

"We don't have a lot of women who get to this level in the competitions and we're very proud of her for making it this far," Mr Walton said.

"We want her to take it out - she's got as good a chance as anyone, she's at the top of her game."