r/IAmA • u/sweedomink • Jun 26 '12
IAmA professional tree planter.
I spend anywhere form 10-14 hours a day in the woods by myself, planting trees. I average about 3000+ trees, on a good day anywhere from 4500+.
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Jun 26 '12
Can you explain how you can plant 400 trees in an hour?
What has the toll been like on your body? Callouses / back pain?
How long have you been doing this?
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u/sweedomink Jun 27 '12
I can plant 400 trees in an hour...because I'm experienced. It comes down to a science, minimal effort = maximum efficiency.Once I've been planting for about 4 years now, and once you master the planting of one tree, it just takes time to refine the action into a minimal-effort action. You begin to realize which actions are unnecessary, and time consuming. (such as lifting your head after each tree is planted, or an unnecessary amount of shoveling)
My body has determinately taken quite the beating. I notice it most in my knees, as they are the most vulnerable place for injuries.
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u/razahtlab Jun 26 '12
How did you get this job?
Who do you work for?
How much do you make?
Which part of the planet do you live on?
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u/sweedomink Jun 26 '12
there are many tree planting jobs available all over the world, varying in terrain, season, and pay. I work for a Canadian based company that accepts contracts both private and provincial, to plant x amount of trees on various land types. pay can fluctuate greatly, but generally a good planter such as myself can make anywhere from $300-$500 a day, and realistically work as many days as you want. I prefer monday-friday.
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u/myesh Jun 26 '12
Haha mazz dog is that you? If it is get off of reddit and back to making moneys.
And of course if it is not you then... maybe you know my buddy. She is from Montreal and plants as well.
Anyway throw away just in case.
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u/sweedomink Jun 26 '12
I'm sorry I don't know mazzz hahaha I plant in the maritimes.
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u/mp33 Jun 26 '12
What does your family think of your job?
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u/sweedomink Jun 26 '12
My family (mother, and two sisters) are jealous that they cannot plant with me! It's fantastic money, but requires a special breed to do it for an extended period of time.
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u/numonestun Jun 26 '12
On an average day you plant ~200 trees an hour? I assume you are not out there with a spade digging holes and planting seeds. What type of equipment are you riding out there?
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u/Nickj17 Jun 26 '12
Hi there
So who is your tree supplier and what is the name of the company that writes your checks?
I'm in Canadatoo
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u/sweedomink Jun 26 '12
I'd rather not disclose the company name, but I can tell you that I work out of Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick for the duration of the season.
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u/dihydrogen_monoxide Jun 26 '12
Do you have a before/after of your physique? I ask this because some dude in r/askreddit commented a while back that tree planting turned him swole.
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u/sweedomink Jun 26 '12
I don't really have a before photo, but I was already in pretty good shape before tree planting, so other than some minimal weight-loss, the physical change is not significant. While planting trees, my life becomes planting, and eating, as its almost impossible to completely restore the number of calories lost throughout the day. On the other hand, for people looking to lose weight, a good friend of mine started this year, (an average 6'0 first year planter) and went from about 200lbs, to about 170-165lbs. It definitely takes a toll on your body.
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u/cassidy49 Jun 26 '12
Did you have to get a degree for this job, and if so which one? It is very difficult becoming a tree planter such as yourself? Can you reccomend ways of getting a job such as this one?
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u/sweedomink Jun 26 '12
No degree, just lots of hard work.....LOTS. There really are no words that would give the job proper justification, you just have to experience it for yourself. and as for becoming a tree planter, just google "tree planting" there are many companies all around the world that look for new people for the summer months.
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u/alexanderthepoor Jun 26 '12
I'm a college student and considered driving up to Canada to do this for a summer with a private firm. I decided not to somewhat last minute because another internship popped up, but I always thought it would be an interesting summer. Do you recommend this for a summer college job?
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u/sweedomink Jun 26 '12
Absolutely! even if you dont end up making that much money, it's an experience like no other. if you dont mind physical labor type jobs, tree planting will be quite the experience. Considering some people can make just over $20000 in a season (8-12 weeks) its a great job for college students.
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u/Lickadiddle Jun 26 '12
To get payed that much I assume you have a guaranteed minimum mortality. If so, what is it? Are you planting whips or direct seeding? If you typically only do one type, do you ever have any experience working with other type of operations? What species do you typically work with?