Tree Planting Questions.

i work for a landscaper right now.

If you start now working for a landscaper, and he likes you enough, and you have a truck you can probably get hooked up with trees for 2-300$ cheaper then what they sell to customers, and you can probably start your own business.

ive worked for a landscaping company for about 6 years now. you should definetly be talking to the employer during the winter if you plan on being on their crew in the spring. if you dont already have a winter job lined up then i would recommend that you volunteer your service for snow removal if they offer that as well to get yourself acquainted with the company. usually with snow removal we pay our laborers (sidewalk crews) about 15 bucks an hour to start off, if you have your own truck to plow with then you could be making upwards of 75 bucks an hour. also with tree planting, a well established company would provide most or all of the equipment for you. as for pay i would say its based on whether or not you have a college degree or not and what that degree is. if its a horticulture or agriscience degree you would be paid more money. i would also look into getting a commercial drivers license, (at least thats how it is here in the states, idk how it works in canada) so you could be more valuable to the company and drive the trucks that carry the trees. anything else just ask

BUMP. I would like info on this topic. To be more specific I want to know about tree planting in BC.

i'm confused. are you looking at starting your own business? if so I would look at expanding to more than just tree planting. like spraying, fertalizing, slash piling etc. maybe since BC is underselling U.S. the timber industry is doing better up there but it seems like everything in in the timber market isnt looking good.

one thing to look out for is biofuel removal and tree planting for all those companies out there wanting to buy up all those carbon credits.  I'm not sure how it is in BC but any company doing replanting is going to hire immigrints for min. wage.

for equipement you dont need much. seedlings, modified shovel/pick, and knowledge of stocking proceedures and how to stock 300 trees per acre vs. 400 trees per acre. if you have any questions feel free to pm

plant trees then smoke them

word....oak trees get you super high!

my friend just had his phone interview to go to alberta the question they asked was whats the most physicaly intence thing youve ever done so its apparently pretty tough but they ssaid the top 3 rokie planters made 250 dollars a day average so thats sick

People arnt understanding this thread at all....

switch the tree with bud and plant some bud bud

baha.  OK, I've treeplanted for the last 5 years, 2 as a crewboss.  I've worked solely out of Ontario for the same company.  You can make more money in BC but the season is longer (3 months) and the terrain is rediculous.  In my third year as a planter, I was making $400/day, but I was also the top planter on the crew.  With a decent company, I would say you'd average $200/day as a rookie.  Ince you get experienced, don't settle for less than $300/day. 

By now you probably have a job or are not planting this spring.  Usually you need to apply in the fall with good companies.  For most good companies, you need to be referred by someone.  check out replant.ca for company info and general treeplanting info.

It is basically the hardest job you will ever do.  You burn 8000 calories a day.  I consistently lose 25 pounds in 45-50 days.  I am athletic to begin with.  Fatties can lose 50+ pounds.  Don't do it unless you are physically and mentally fit.

With that said, ona good BC or Alberta 3 month contract, you can pull in 30Gs, more than you will make at any other job as a student. 

and I don't recommend smoking weed all day.  I wouldn't smoke at all, especially if you're in BC.  You walk 30KM a day.  I would rather walk 30KM at 10000 feet with good lungs.

And I made it sound pretty good.  Many rookies FAIL.  Lazy people just looking for a quick buck don't make money.  Only 50% of people go back for a second year. 

bump. just looking for as much info on this stuff as possible. sounds pretty difficult but payout sounds fuckin awesome.

first of all, laughed my ass off at the comments about planting big trees. so love it when people think thats what tree planters do.
Secondly,  it's definitely getting pretty late, but if you're lucky, you might still get a job. Start sending out resume's and applications on a huge scale. Because of the state of the industry at the moment, most western companies are not looking to hire too many rookies, so your chances are far better in Ontario. Big companies that usually hire a lot of rookies are Outland, A&M, and Brinkman. Personally I have worked for Heritage Reforestation and will be doing so again this summer. I know that they are currently in the process of hiring right now, so I'd recommend applying ASAP... like the moment you're done reading this APPLY. As was mentioned, replant.ca is an AMAZING tool, it has all the info you'll basically ever need to know about treeplanting, it also lists a lot of companies.
You're going to want an employer that has a bit of a reputation, planting is always a shitshow, no matter who you work for, but you don't want a company that will seriously fuck you over. Don't do anything that sounds really sketchy to you- (being asked to give them money to sign up... seriously, i had that once... i think they thought it was some joyful summer experience program i was signing up for or something).
Ask about camp costs, they shouldnt be asking for more than $25 a day really, and you don't want to be making much less than 8 cents a tree either.
Everyone is different in their first year, the key in your first few weeks (average learning curve is 3 weeks) is to NOT GET DEPRESSED, it's going to be insanely taxing on you both physically, and especially mentally. The money will come though, as long as you stick it out and try your best. However, it's definitely something you should look to do more than one summer, because thats what makes it really worth it- you'll make way more money in your veteran years. I made $4,000 planting in my rookie season, but the planting aspect only lasted one month (our company did other brush work as well which I went on to do). 
Most important things to bring- GOOD workboots, DO NOT GO CHEAP on them, and also break them in before you leave. A solid tent, I'd prefer one thats a good size, remember you're going to be living in it. A tarp for over the tent, no tent is perfect, especially after two months outside.  BUGSPRAY! DUCT TAPE! pants, that arent jeans (you're gonna get soaked, and jeans are terrible when wet)... the list could go ever on, there's tons more on replant.ca... if you manage to get a job, feel free to pm me and I could give you more details.
So yeah, thats my novel on some basics of treeplanting. Hope you get a job, it's the most mentally and physically overwhelming thing I have ever done, and I can hardly wait to get back at it!!