Tree Planting - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**IDDQD** · 01-18-2006, 02:00 PM

*OK kids, so it has been brought to my attention that tree planting in the summer can make me a lot of money in a short amount of time. Ive also heard that it takes a great amount of mental fortitude to be able to do it for long.

The job is just like it reads. You go to the wilderness, and plant trees all day, everyday. And you sleep in a tent. And you spend most of your day alone.

On the plus, a friend of a friend has been doing this for the past 6 months and the people he works for have sent him to Australia for 6 months to do it there, and when he gets back he goes to BC for another 6 months to do it there. Which is is pretty sweet.
AND in the back of my mind i'll be able to think, "youre doing the world a favour" even if im really doing it for the money...

Questions, Concerns, Comments please

* Thats right Jake, its mine

**LostFarmboy** · 01-18-2006, 02:08 PM

So long as you're not afraid of a bit of hard work it would be ok.

Try and avoid being assigned hole digger duties....blisters!!!

**MolsonGirl** · 01-18-2006, 03:05 PM

I thought about tree planting also
seems very interesting

**pinion** · 01-18-2006, 04:51 PM

have fun Johnny Appleseed!

**benna2** · 01-18-2006, 04:53 PM

Yeah....sounds like you gotta work a little too hard for me....but I bet you could do it!! Have fun!

**Jen05** · 01-18-2006, 08:08 PM

Hey. I have some friends that have treeplanted...some are lifers, others came home after a week with tendonitis (spelling sucks, sorry). I think if you prepare mentally and physically, it's a great thing, and you're right, the money can be great once you get the hang of things. Getting to go to Australia to treeplant? Wow, that sounds a lot better than Northern Ontario/Eastern Manitoba!

**TheJake** · 01-18-2006, 10:03 PM

OH YOU BASTARD.

**TERI** · 01-19-2006, 08:57 AM

Well i think that it depends on how much money we're talkin about here. and do you ever get any time to do other stuff? even like 3 hours a day?

**Diorama** · 01-19-2006, 10:25 AM

I've heard mixed reviews. I think a lot of it depends on the company and your mental state.

My friend went up to the lovely forests of BC to do it and he lasted one week. He said it was complete shit. He had blisters, it was pouring rain, the supervisors were assholes. After buying all of the equipment and only getting one weeks pay he actually left the place in debt. The equipment start up is pretty expensive. (boots, shovel, tent, etc...)

On the other hand another friends girlfriend went up to do it and she made a SHIT LOAD of money and had a fairly good experience. So just do your research. At first the money probably won't be rolling in, but once you get better at planting you should start reeping in the money.

**expatben** · 01-19-2006, 11:30 AM

So I guess its money vs uncomfortable conditions. I have never planted treees but I worked as a gardener. Everyday we would be up and rolling at 6am I would pick up so much crap and I would get scratched by hedge trimmings and nettles that the guys removed. I left because I couldn't deal with it but hey, you could be stronger.

chelseafc05 · 01-19-2006, 10:07 PM

where ya doin in ? australia? sure wouldnt wanna be doin it the summer months.....ill almost died of the heat today coulda thrown some bacon and eggs in the air and by the time they droped backed down they would been cooked to perfection

**TheJake** · 01-19-2006, 10:29 PM

PM me some weblinks man. If it's feasible for me i'll give it a shot with ya.

**indierock05** · 01-20-2006, 10:33 AM

Would you really want to be alone all day every day? I definately think that I would go insane after about a week.

**IDDQD** · 01-20-2006, 08:33 PM

ya know, a coule years ago I dont think I'd be able to take being alone like that, cause I come from a big family with constant noise. But Ive been out of the house for a couple years now and have adjusted to the quiet. So yeah, I think I can handle it now. But I havent shut down the possibility that I'll last for a day lol.

Quote:

where ya doin in ? australia?

Nah, Ontario for now. I just know a guy that started doing it a couple months back and they ended up sending him there, as well as B.C. in the future.

He, by the way, has adapted to the work very well and averages about $1500 a week...Canadian I believe, which these days, isnt too far behind USD. And the best part is that you cant spend the moeny you make. You live in a freakn' tent! Couple months making that and I can add a few extra destinations.

**Slacker** · 01-20-2006, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by IDDQD@Jan 20 2006, 08:33 PM
ya know, a coule years ago I dont think I'd be able to take being alone like that, cause I come from a big family with constant noise. But Ive been out of the house for a couple years now and have adjusted to the quiet. So yeah, I think I can handle it now. But I havent shut down the possibility that I'll last for a day lol.
Nah, Ontario for now. I just know a guy that started doing it a couple months back and they ended up sending him there, as well as B.C. in the future.

He, by the way, has adapted to the work very well and averages about $1500 a week...Canadian I believe, which these days, isnt too far behind USD. And the best part is that you cant spend the moeny you make. You live in a freakn' tent! Couple months making that and I can add a few extra destinations.

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You got any links for this? This would be a great summer job to save up for a trip.

**IDDQD** · 01-21-2006, 10:15 AM

No links or anything just yet, Im getting the info through a friend and should be getting it in a day or two. Ill send it along to anyone that wants to know. Of course it will most likely be revolving around Ontario.

**Jen05** · 01-21-2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by indierock05@Jan 20 2006, 12:33 PM
Would you really want to be alone all day every day?* I definately think that I would go insane after about a week.

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Yeah, you're alone for most of the day, but even though you're exhausted by the end of the day, at least at the sites my friends have been to, there's still opportunity to socialize, get to know people...I know both of my good friends met their boyfriends out there in the bush!