The Characteristics of a Tree Planter

 In my first post I talked about the challenges a planter faces every day. Obviously it isn't a job for everyone. You might be wondering what it takes to be a tree planter. What does a planter look like?
It may surprise you that there isn't a certain type of person that goes tree planting. They come in all sizes. Being tall or short has no effect on ones ability to put trees in the ground.
Gender is also irrelevant to ones planting abilities. In fact, many of the best planters I've met are women.
There are some things that all good planters have in common. The first is endurance. It's a difficult  job, so a planter has to be in good shape to keep up. Even if you're only in decent shape, a week or two of planting will give you the endurance you need.
In addition to endurance, a good planter needs determination. If you apply to a job where you'll be living in a tent working hard for two months, you'd better be ready to stick it out rain or shine. It's not easy to keep going, but the rewards are there. I've never felt more accomplished, more proud, than when I put my last tree in the ground and finished my first contract. It's an indescribable feeling, one I'll always remember.
An optimistic attitude will also serve you well.  For a group of men and women doing some of the hardest work in the country, there's remarkably little complaining to be heard. The phrase "shut up and plant" is one you'll hear a lot over the planting season. Whining is poison to a crew. Learn to enjoy yourself, laugh a lot and the job doesn't seem so bad anymore.
Lastly, a planter enjoys life in the outdoors. For two months the closest thing you have to a home is a tent, so you'd better enjoy being outside a lot. Other than that, there's no real set characteristics of a tree planter.