The Tools of the Trade: Part Two

In my last post I went over just a few of the items you'll need to have a successful tree planting contract. Now I want to finish off the list by going through some of the clothing and other items you'll want to have.

Everything I brought my first year

1. The proper attire
Clothing can be a personal choice with a planter, but all outfits have one thing in common: they're going to get dirty, torn apart and ruined forever. Value Village is a tree planter's paradise. That's where we load up on old tee shirts, over sized sweaters, toques and wool socks. Oh, and keep an eye out for long underwear. Not only can you wear it at the beginning of your contract when it will be below zero in the mornings, when it warms up you can wear them under a pair of shorts to keep the bugs and underbrush from slicing up your legs! I recommend two to three pairs, as they start to smell after a week.

2. Duct tape
Nothing comes in handier at a tree planting camp than duct tape. fix tent holes, fix clothing holes, fix any holes really. It can also be wrapped around the fingers of your planting hand, the hand you use to put the tree into the ground, giving you some protection and a better grip on the tree. Bring a roll or two, it always comes in handy.

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3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE refers to safety reflective vests and helmets. These are required by law in Ontario and Alberta, although in British Columbia the rules are much less strict. PPE vests and helmets can be found at any construction equipment store, and are not very expensive. As long as they are safety approved you can use them.

4. Miscellaneous 
This refers to the host of small items you'll want. Just briefly I'll put down a list of some things to think about taking.

• A knife
• Rope
• Spare tent pegs
• plates and utensils 
• Large water jug (8 litres recommended)
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Spare shovel handle 

Hopefully this list gives you an idea of what you'll need should you ever find yourself in a planter's shoes (or boots). And be sure to bring something to do on your days off. A fishing rod, books, some music or even board games are all fantastic when you don't have to work. Once you've gone once you have a pretty good idea of what to bring the next time, should you choose to plant trees again, and you might think of something to bring that I failed to mention.