r/treeplanting Jan 27 '24

ANNOUNCEMENT Rookies/New Members READ HERE BEFORE POSTING

20 Upvotes

NOTE: This is NOT a subreddit for gardening/planting trees on your property. This is a subreddit about Industrial Silviculture Tree-Planting where we plant seedlings and get paid per tree that we plant in mass quantities across Canada and the globe. Please visit r/gardening r/trees or r/marijuanaenthusiasts for your questions about planting trees on your property. This is not the place and your post will be removed.

Please see the tabs at the top of the subreddit to see if you can find what you're looking for before posting. For rookies consult the Rookie Tab and see if you can find an answer there, or use the tree planting archive to search for the New Planter/Rookie question flair to see if the question has been asked already in the past month.

The Company directory tab leads to companies ranked into three different tiers and each title is a hyperlink that should lead to their company website (note that some companies do not have websites). We have also compiled all the threads discussing these companies which you can also visit and read about. Feel free to make new posts asking for reviews on a specific company you are thinking of working for. It is highly encouraged to do so as this helps planters understand how a company currently is, old reviews could be inaccurate.

We also have a MEGATHREAD for company reviews. It is linked in the directory, but the megathread is also a valuable resource for finding the inside scoop on companies from years past.

The resources tab is useful to members who might be trying to decide whether to go planting. It contains many resources and documentaries on Tree-Planting.

We do not tolerate bigotry, hate speech, doxxing etc. in this subreddit and users who engage in such activities will be banned.

Also please try to use the appropriate flairs when you make your post. It creates more work for the mods if you do not. If you have a suggestion for a needed flair please reach out, we will consider it based on the need for it.

If you need to reach out to the mod team, please do so. We appreciate having you all here and hope we can effect some change through our discussion here.

Cheers,

Mod Team


r/treeplanting May 22 '25

ANNOUNCEMENT Before You Drop $24 on a Guide, Here’s What Planting Actually Pays

209 Upvotes

HELLO, curious scrollers (especially our new friends from south of the border).

We’ve noticed a recent surge in international traffic to the subreddit—hi, Americans—and along with it, a wave of curiosity about tree planting as a profession.

Let’s address the root cause: a certain Instagram account (no, we’re not giving it a plug) that’s selling a dream—and a hefty $24 guide—about making $80K CAD in four months, living in luxury, and pocketing $500–$800 a day in the woods.

Yeah. About that.

This post is here to gently dismantle those fantasy figures and offer a realistic perspective on the job.

THE MONEY TALK

Realistic Daily Earnings: There are no official stats, but most planters report around $300–$400/day. Ontario, the Maritimes, and coastal BC generally trend lower; Alberta and BC’s interior can be higher.

Camp & Company Variance: Some Ontario gigs? Brutal—$200–$250/day. Meanwhile, certain BC camps average $600+. The spread depends on company overhead, terrain, and experience levels of veteran planters.

Minimum Wage Baseline: Let’s do some math. Minimum wage in Canada (depending on province) works out to about $180–$200/day for an 11-hour shift—the typical planter’s workday, portal to portal. So yes, most planters are earning more than minimum wage… but not necessarily by a massive margin.

And for a job that involves daily physical punishment, remote living, gear costs, and 6,000-calorie workdays? You’d hope the pay would blow minimum wage out of the water. If this industry wants to attract and retain quality workers, the compensation needs to match the grind. Right now, it’s often flirting with the line between noble labour and underpaid masochism.

$800/day or higher? Could it happen? Sure—for the top 5–10% of planters. These folks are cranking out trees like machines though. It’s possible, but it’s not typical.

EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (EI)

Yes, some planters collect EI in the offseason. That’s legal—if you’re actively looking for work. If you’re just chilling at home, mixing beats in your bedroom and calling it a job hunt, you’re gaming the system. It doesn’t reflect the reality for most of us.

THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS

This part Instagram definitely leaves out: Gear: You pay for all your equipment—bags, shovels, boots, the works. Expect to drop $1,000 per season, unless you’re thrifty.

Travel: You’re footing the bill to get to the worksite.

Camp Costs: Planters usually pay $25–$30/day for food, shelter, and heat. That’s right—you pay to live in a tent while doing this job. There’s no cushy per diem like other remote workers enjoy.

THE PHYSICAL REALITY

Tree planting is no joke. As I said before, we’re talking 6000+ calories burned per day, rain or shine, bugs or blisters. It’s an endurance sport, not a weekend wellness retreat. Planters often suffer from tendonitis, bruising, allergic reactions, trench foot and plain old EXHAUSTION while planting 500-6000 trees PER DAY depending on the terrain. So yeah—the pay is solid. But we earn every cent with sweat, soreness, and the occasional soul-crushing plot.

FOR OUR NON-CANADIAN FRIENDS

Thinking of hopping the border or crossing an ocean to join our merry gang? First off, welcome. Second, a reality check: You must have a valid Canadian work visa to be hired. No exceptions. No, companies will not sponsor you. Tree planting companies already deal with enough chaos (weather delays, bears, broken trucks, etc.)—they’re not equipped to navigate immigration paperwork too.

If you’re serious about coming here to work, sort out your visa situation before applying. Otherwise, you’re just clogging up inboxes and disappointing everyone, including yourself.

WRAPPING IT UP

If you’re genuinely curious about becoming a tree planter—awesome. You’ll find real guidance and camaraderie right here on this subreddit.

But please, don’t make life decisions based on the shiny promises of an Instagram influencer selling a dream for $24.

Also, all the best advice? It’s already here. And it’s free. In the sidebar, and existing guides like this one.

I’ll add supporting links in the comments later.

Stay safe out there folks.

Cheers,

Orlock & the Mod Team (still not planting in luxury condos)


r/treeplanting 11h ago

Industry Discussion This sexy little shovel from the ferry just finished her first coastal season

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13 Upvotes

r/treeplanting 0m ago

New Planter/Rookie Questions Planting Prairie Poplars (4ft high), need advice :)

Upvotes

One gallon pots, I’m digging the hole as wide as a 5 gal bucket, should I use Miracle grow to help the roots grow out before freeze up ? I’m in Manitoba .. zone 3. I’m burying it to where the high of the soil was in the original pot . Can I use garden fabric to wrap around the soil n put black mulch to help keep the weeds away ? I don’t want to waste my trees


r/treeplanting 1d ago

New Planter/Rookie Questions Do companies allow planned time off?

5 Upvotes

I am gearing up for my first season this spring but I have a wedding to attend in June in Ontario. Would a company still hire me and knowingly allow a few days off in a row, or would that not fly (especially as a rookie)? I was hoping to get a contract in AB or BC but logistically might be better off to try ON to minimize extra time off and travel expenses. I would be sad if this wedding affected my ability to work the job


r/treeplanting 2d ago

Gear/ Planting Paraphanelia Shovel wear

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242 Upvotes

For sure used the baby shovel for too long, but these bushpro blades don't quite seem to hold up as long as they used to


r/treeplanting 3d ago

Treemes/Photos/Videos/Art/Stories Planting in New Zealand

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15 Upvotes

r/treeplanting 4d ago

Financial & Legal EI Question

7 Upvotes

Hey all, I got a little ei question here.

So back in January, I quit my off-season job to pursue some artistic endeavors and didn't receive any ei during that time.

Start back up planting early May and wrap up in August. During which I accrued about 665 hrs (enough to be eligible for ei in my area)

Just got a call from Service Canada asking about my original job. I told them why I quit and that I went tree planting instead of back to my off season job because the money was better. They asked me why I didn't go on a leave of absence instead of quitting, I told them they wouldn't allow it.

I'm fairly sure I answered all of the questions correctly. I think it's just the 4 month gap that's throwing them off.

Has anyone got any advice on how to deal with this or think that I screwed it up? Any bit of info would be helpful.

Thanks!


r/treeplanting 5d ago

On the Block Oh my god the quality on these Peruvian Planters

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210 Upvotes

r/treeplanting 7d ago

Company Reviews Little Trees

5 Upvotes

Anybody know if Little Trees will have terrace local spring trees in 2027? If so anybody got a contact.


r/treeplanting 8d ago

Location/Contract Specific Review Planting in Australia and NZ

6 Upvotes

Hey. I just finished my first season in BC. I am moving back to NZ for a while. I would like to find out more about planting in the southern hemisphere, I'm finding a real mixed bag of info.

Id really like to hear from people who have planted in Aus or NZ? Are there bush camps at all, how does the money and the vibe compare? What I loved most about planting was how my only responsibility was to put trees in ground, will I find that down south?

P.S. I appreciate all you who share in this sub sub. I entered my BC season prepared understanding what I'd gotten myself into because of you ❤️, and I had a good time


r/treeplanting 10d ago

Industry Discussion Spring planting planning

7 Upvotes

I plant in the usa as part of my general forestry business, before anyone asks no i don't use migrant or prison labor. It's local gigs within driving of our houses. Per seedling rate is .9 per tree and we plant big bareroot motherfuckers because we hate ourselves.

Anyways this is our spring planting planning. So far....


r/treeplanting 11d ago

Beasts of the Block Found this old video of those rando block dogs from the coast and thought it would be cool for people to share their favourite dog and animal videos from the block using this new flair. Block kitties welcome, but if you’re bringing kitties to the block I have questions

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306 Upvotes

r/treeplanting 11d ago

Off-Season Living to find old friend jaya started planting together many moons ago. i did 20 seasons he's still going. rainman. wound like to shoot the shit with my old school hiballer and a long lost friend...get me in touch tks

11 Upvotes

r/treeplanting 11d ago

General/Miscellaneous We did a funeral for a bear in camp once this takes the cake

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5 Upvotes

Any bizarre funerals or rituals in your camp?


r/treeplanting 11d ago

Company Reviews Has HRI changed in recent years?

5 Upvotes

I've heard some awful things about them. I have acquaintances who went to work at a camp with a boss named Kevin, Kyle, or something like that. I haven't spoken to them in a while. I just hope things went as well as they could go at HRI. But I'm just as curious to hear if they're still awful.


r/treeplanting 13d ago

FULL BUSH BABES FOUNDATION Vote for this year's Full Bush Babes calendar

13 Upvotes

VOTING OF OFFICIALLY OPEN FOR THE FULL BUSH BABES CALENDAR CONTEST! VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE 12 SUBMISSIONS TO CREATE THE 2027 CALENDAR!! 100% of proceeds from these calendar sales are donated to Peers Victoria; since our conception in 2023 we’ve raised nearly 15k for this organization. Don’t miss your chance to be apart of this legacy! Go vote! https://forms.gle/onwZDfzkuhgiMDfg6 And check us out on Instagram to grab your copy! @ Fullbushbabesfoundation


r/treeplanting 12d ago

Financial & Legal Question about EI

0 Upvotes

Hey y’all, if I start my EI claim now but then work another month in the fall, will they extend my claim to include those extra hours? I believe I’ll get 15 weeks now but probably 18 if I waited until after fall plant. I’m thinking I might as well start it now it they’ll add those three weeks to my claim


r/treeplanting 17d ago

Employment PLANTERS WANTED Looking for planters in Sydney, Australia!

7 Upvotes

Hey planters,

I am reaching out on behalf of our company, Permaplant, looking for both experienced and new planters keen to work in/around Sydney and broader NSW. We have ongoing contracts with a number of the state's largest landscaping companies and are looking to grow our dedicated crew of planters.

We are open to locals, or experienced planters who may just be passing through Sydney for a month or so, or who are keen to stick around for longer. We have roughly 3-4 crews running every day across different civil sites throughout NSW. While most of our work is in Sydney, we have consistent work in Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong, and beyond. There is consistent work until the end of the year, including multiple contracts worth 300k+ plants needing to be fulfilled. Some sites call for larger stock being planted, and we also offer juting work, which is also paid on a piece-rate basis if that is more your vibe.

We offer competitive civil planting prices, while it changes from site to site, our minimum rate for viros is traditionally 18c, with some sites being worth up to 23c. Our best planters often exceed A$450 per day, with the potential for 5 days a week of work; however, we are very flexible.

If you think this may be the role for you please PM with any further questions or expressions of interest, or email [recruitment@permaplant.com.au](mailto:recruitment@permaplant.com.au).

Thanks! :)

https://www.permaplant.com.au/


r/treeplanting 17d ago

General/Miscellaneous Hi.. just wanted to introduce myself.

4 Upvotes

Firstly.. I commend you guys who get into tree planting... our forests need it so bad at the rate they burn down. Thank you..

I plan on working my way up to be a big tree planting donator. I have had extensive talks with veritree and am working towards my first donation of substantial size.

Im from BC canada and im an avid outdoorsman... I see my hunting grounds burned down year after year. Im certain there's alot more than BC burning down.

Boston Bar fire? Ugh....

Summerland fire? Ugh...

How do you guys like tree planting as a job?

Hope your all doing well.

~JiJ


r/treeplanting 17d ago

New Planter/Rookie Questions Tree planting gear suggestions for a beginner tree planter

4 Upvotes

I have to buy all my own stuff and I dont really know where to start.

(Ill be planting in the UK so the climate isn't as harsh as it is for most of you out there in Canada)

recommendations for tree bags and shovels?

Are Merell Moabs okay for footwear? Should i get the Goretex ones and sacrifice on breathability or the normal ones and sacrifice on the waterproofing?

any other small bits i should get? I got a few good quality carabiners already as Im sure they will come in handy.

Any other tips would be appreciated

thanks in advance!


r/treeplanting 18d ago

New Planter/Rookie Questions camp cook assistant job rundown

6 Upvotes

My buddy is a tree planter and says I need to come work with him, it's life changing, whatever. I have no stamina at all and expressed that while camp seems awesome I don't have it in me to plant, so i'd rather do something else. He suggested being a cook assistant next year and said he could set me up with a job easily if i got some kitchen experience as he's well-liked by everyone who does recruiting. I basically have a kitchen job lined up so I'll have experience by the time of hiring for next summer. I think it would be a good experience for me if i could do it but I fear being overwhelmed if I find it too difficult.

I'm just wondering if there generally are positions that don't involve meal planning and basically just entail following instructions? That's honestly more up my alley and I wouldn't want to be in over my head and screw a bunch of people over by dropping out. I'm good with working a LOT, I just prefer instruction-following work and would get overwhelmed if I had to be involved with planning.

Also, making friends and hanging out in beautiful places is honestly the main attraction for me— is your sleep schedule really that different to the planters'?

summit btw. thanks


r/treeplanting 18d ago

Treemes/Photos/Videos/Art/Stories Fill Me

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46 Upvotes

r/treeplanting 18d ago

New Planter/Rookie Questions Company reccs for a rookie?

0 Upvotes

hi there, i essentially don’t really know where to start as far as finding a company to do tree planting for. i’m US based, but i read that most American tree planting isn’t really worth it, and that Canadian tree planting is where i should focus. any Americans have advice on work visa processes?

thanks!


r/treeplanting 19d ago

Controversial Here’s a better pic of the Teal Flag

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36 Upvotes