Tree planting in northern Ontario, Alberta or British Columbia is vastly different from planting a tree or two in your garden at home. Planters endure 10 hour days in some of the worst terrain in the country, consisting of kilometers of logged out forest covered in fallen trees, rocks, cliffs, giant puddles and thick underbrush. And all while carrying close to 100 lbs of trees around their waist. Oh, and did I mention the swarms of black flies and mosquitoes that will literally choke you up from time to time? Or the bears you may encounter while you work?
Sound fun yet? Surprisingly enough, hundreds of people actually apply for a tree planting job more than once! I did, even though halfway through my first season I swore I would never be back, and yet here I am, contemplating a third season in northern Ontario.
Why do we do it? Because while tree planting can be brutal, at times almost unbearable, it is an experience that will change your life. You live with a group of around 30-60 people for two months straight. These people become your family. You're in some of the most gorgeous parts of Canada virtually untouched by humanity, living in tents under a canopy of stars. You learn what it means to work hard and never give up, no matter how badly you ache.
This is why we do it. This is what makes us tree planters. And I would invite anyone who thinks they can survive it to give it a try, it will change you.
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| Part of the walk to work, Kenogami 2013 |
If you were at a safe distance seeing bears would have been fun. I bet the after parties sitting round a campfire and swapping tales with lots of people would have been interesting too. Your blog brought back happy memories of visiting Vancouver and seeing the bears.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sheona; seeing bears would be awesome and I've never turned down a chance to sit around a campfire with some pals.
ReplyDeleteVery informative James! had no idea how it works. looks tough, I commend you.
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