Have you ever thought about packing up your life for 6 months out of the year to plant trees? It’s no easy feat, but that’s exactly what Tia Scheffer does. 

All types of people work in the industry, but according to Tia, the one requirement is that you must be the tiniest bit insane. A sneak peek into the life of a tree planter requires audio books, a well wrapped lunch and the ability to live with 40 other people.  Tia Scheffer explains that this is no office job.

How did you get interested in tree planting?

I was first brought tree planting by my boyfriend at the time. Before that I don’t remember having any interest in it at all, or ever hearing much about it for that matter! Now, I return year after year more or less out of habit. I make good money, I use my body to earn that money and I work outdoors. It’s basically those three things that keep me coming back.

How does one become a tree planter?

The having-a-significant-other-bring-you method works really well. Otherwise, you have to apply to all the companies and see which one will return your call. Not a lot of companies hire rookies anymore, and the ones that do are usually rookie ‘mills,’ quantity over quality if you will. 

What is your work schedule as a tree planter?

I follow work where it is available. I think on average for the five years I’ve worked as a tree planter, I’ve worked for three different companies each season. Usually early spring, regular spring and then summer…one could follow work all year if one wanted to! I sure wouldn’t. I work between March/April until August if I can.

Where do you plant trees?

I plant in BC mostly. I’ve planted in Alberta and Manitoba, but BC is where the money is.

How physically grueling is the work?

I think your body gets used to the work after a couple of weeks. It IS really hard, but once you’re used to the movements, it becomes second-nature. I’d say it’s more mentally grueling than physically! To prepare, some do pre-season workouts. I work as a bike courier during the winter to keep in shape. 

What does a typical day as a tree planter look like?

Wake up at 6AM, make lunch and eat breakfast, leave in the trucks by 7AM sharp. The drive can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Get to the block; get cut a piece of land by your foreman. Fill your bags with trees and start planting. Usually you plant a straight line to the back of your piece (usually a tree line), then go across the back and fill it back and forth. There are spacing requirements for how far to plant each tree from each other, and also quality requirements to make sure the tree will actually survive. When you are about halfway done your bags, you start thinking about planting back to the cache of trees. Then you drink some water, maybe have a small snack, fill your bags up again with more trees and do this over and over, about 10-20 times a day. When the end of the day rolls around you pack up and ride back home. You shower, eat, hang out a bit with the others, then sleep. 

What physical elements do you deal with as a tree planter?

 Rain sucks. The hot sun can be terrible too. I’d say the tricky elements are staying motivated by little things like music; maybe you have a song that you use to get you out of a rut. I am constantly listening to music. Also, crows and bears like to eat your lunch so packaging that stuff up well makes a difference.

What is the tree planting community like?

I feel like tree planting generally attracts pretty interesting people. And you spend the entirety of the contract with the same 20-40 people, so you really get to know one another, for better or for worse… I mean, you eat together, ride in trucks together, sleep together (hedonism is popular), even shower together (separate stalls but side-by-side). 

~ Lindsey Peterson | Photos by Adam Gilmer