+How much will I make?

As you have probably heard, you can make very good money, but tree planting is piece work (you are paid per tree not per hour), so you need to be extremely self motivated! In 2023, on average, our first year planters made about $225/day. Over a 40-60 day season depending on the region, that works out to between $9,000-13,500. Remember, this is an average. The season varies from province to province, but you can expect up to 60 days in all provinces. Our tree prices generally _start_between 13-20 cents per tree depending on where you are planting and how difficult the terrain. Our Daily Production Adjustment is $25/work day.

What Equipment do I need?

For first year planters, there is a serious investment involved in gathering together everything you will need for the bush and in making your way to the contract. This is another reason why tree planting is not a one shot (year) deal.

It is not unusual for an inexperienced planter to spend $500-$1000 buying all the necessary equipment. You are required to buy planting bags, a planting shovel, and work boots. Depending on the requirments of a contract, you may need to purchase other equipment. Most of our spring season contracts are bush camps and you will also need a tent and sleeping bag. This is a lot of money but remember this is an investment that should last several planting seasons.

What is the hiring process?

Our main hiring season is between November and late April, before the season starts in May.

If you are returning to work with Brinkman, you should get an email from your Project Manager in December or January inviting you back to work with them. If you don't hear from your PM - please reach out to hiring@brinkman.ca and we can help.

If you have previous experience with another tree planting company, simply fill in the experienced workers application found on the our website. If you have a particular crew or location where you wish to work, note the Project Manager on the application.

If you have never planted for a tree planting company before, please apply as an inexperienced worker on our website. Before you do this, please gather as much information as you can – use this website and others to learn what you are applying for, and where you want to work. Then complete the inexperienced worker online application as thoroughly as possible. We don't interview everyone so you need to stand out.

What happens after I complete the application?

1. You will receive a pop-up confirmation on the website, and an email notice that your application has been received.
2. Applications are sorted and forwarded to the appropriate manager depending on your experience level and location request.
3. From November to May you can expect an update from someone within ONE WEEK of applying. Please reapply if you do not hear back within one week – your application may have not been processed. (Rare but it happens.)If you are applying before November - it may take a little longer for us to respond. Feel free to check in at hiring@brinkman.ca though if you haven't heard back in a few weeks.
4. We will reach out to successful applicants via email or phone to set up an interview. After the interview, we will let you know if you are hiring within a few days.
5. If you have questions, please email them to hiring@brinkman.ca

How old do I need to be to tree plant?

You do need to be at least 18 years of age to tree plant. It is a mature environment, you are required to live away from home, and the main tree planting season is May and June when most people who are under 18 are at school. Please apply again when you are 18.

Do you hire non-Canadians?

We only hire non-Canadians who have a work visa (working holiday or other). If you are not in Canada, we can’t help you obtain a work visa – you must be able to get one without a job offer; we just have too many applicants to help you apply for a visa. We also only hire people who hold a visa for longer than one year. Your first season is not nearly as lucrative for you (or for us) as your future seasons. If you are able to get a two year visa, you must be available from May 1st to August 1st to be considered.

**Please Note: Even if you have a two year visa, we may not offer you an interview right sway. We prefer to hire planters who are available for more than 2 years. That said, sometimes we need planters in late April when we have drop outs and we are less choosey about your future availablilty.

Which Province should I apply to if I am inexperienced?

We prioritize applicants who live in same region that they are applying for - and who are available for the full length of that region’s season. Given the transportation costs to get to our camps - it often makes more financial sense to stay closer to home for your first season at least.

You should be aware that the quality specifications and the terrain are often more difficult the further west you travel in Canada – especially for the first year planter. Essentially, it can be easier to learn how to plant a tree and to get up to speed in Ontario and so we traditionally hire more inexperienced planters to work there. Some BC terrain can be extremely challenging for the first year planter.

Regardless of where you plant, our first year planters make the same average daily amount. While the tree price is higher in some regions – it is often because it is much harder to plant a tree.

What do I have to sign before planting?

Brinkman requires that all planters sign a Planter’s Agreement before they arrive in camp. This outlines our administration practices and employment conditions. It DOES NOT commit you to pay any fines – whether for quality or leaving early or arriving late.

Brinkman does not impose quality fines on planters, but we do require that you rework any areas that do not meet our clearly stated quality standards. You are paid for trees planted that meet the quality requirements so it is important to plant the trees correctly the first time. We do not hold back any of your pay for any reason.

We also ask you to fill out an employee information form, a medical information form, a provincial tax form, a Canada Tax form and you may fill out an RWA form. This all happens online before you arrive in camp.

When is the planting season and how long am I expected to work?

The main planting season across Canada is called the spring season and usually runs from May into July, with regional variations. On many contracts in BC and Alberta, we have work until the end of July and into August. We only hire planters who are available for May, June and July for these contracts.

In Ontario and New Brunswick, the main planting season runs in May and June on some contracts. For those planters that are available, we also have contracts that run to the end of July. And there are often additional summer contracts in various locations in both provinces in August and September.

For experienced planters looking for more work throughout the year, we have early spring and fall work in Ontario, New Brunswick and BC.

In BC, the coastal season typically starts in February and runs until April (this work can be extremely difficult and is restricted to experienced planters). Planters then join their main spring contract. Work on the coast starts up again later in the summer and runs from mid-August until October.

We also have planting, brushing and spraying work in Ontario in April before the main planting season starts and the again from August through to November/Decmeber.

Will I get a day off?

We work 3 or 4 days on and 1 day off depending on the contract. Planters are usually able to go to the nearest town on days off when our camps aren’t too remote. The season is quite short and the camps are very remote so we generally don’t allow planters to go home during the season except for emergencies.

I don’t know if I will want to plant for more than 1 season. Can I still plant?

Of course, you won’t know if you want to return until you have planted for a season. We do ask that you only apply if you are available to plant for more than one season. If you know now that you only are able to do this once, it probably is not worth your investment or ours. While you can make excellent money in your first season, some planters don’t really pick it up until the second season. This is not a one-shot deal to make some quick money.

I have applied with a friend. Can we plant in the same camp?

Absolutely. We find that planters who have friends are happier and more productive planters. Please make sure you let me know if you are applying with a friend.

Allergies and injuries

Tree planting is an extremely strenuous job that requires you to be not only in good health but in good physical shape as well. It requires that you work outside in all weather conditions. If you have any past or current chronic injuries, this may not be the job for you.

In addition, if you have any serious allergies to insect stings or nuts, it is important to be aware that we are often situated in remote locations far from hospitals.

Environmental irritants, like extreme dust or smoke, are also possible and might be a problem for people with lung conditions. These are things to consider when deciding on a work location. If you have concerns discuss them with us so we can help.

What jobs are available?

Here’s an outline of the positions we hire for regularly. All of these positions involve temporary relocation, typically living in bush camps in remote areas or hotels. Locations may vary – check the regional sections for ongoing updates. All positions are available to workers who are capable of enduring long days of difficult physical labour. For all positions, except cooking, workers are outside all day regardless of the weather.

TREE PLANTING

This is a piece-work job that involves carrying trees on your hips and planting anywhere from 500 (steep, BC coastal ground) to 3500 (easy, flat Alberta, Ontario ground) tree seedlings, everyday. Workers are set-up with an area and given ongoing guidance from their crew leader as to where to work, what species to plant and how to plant.

Due to season length and difficulty of planting, our western crews are primarily made up of veteran planters, while our eastern crews tend to have more openings for rookies. On some projects in BC, fertilizer and/or tree protectors may need to be applied at the time of planting.

How to Apply: Application Form

Requirements: valid Canadian SIN, good physical health

COOKING

Every one of our temporary camps (bush, boat or other) supplies meals to the workers. Crew sizes vary from 15-100, but what doesn’t change is the high quality, exceptional food we provide – and lots of it. Cooking in a tree planting camp is not easy – the days are long and conditions can be challenging. This is a very rewarding job though and is critical to a camp’s success.

How to Apply: Please email hiring@brinkman.ca with your resume.

Requirements: FoodSafe certification required. Professional cooking experience is essential. Previous experience planting, or cooking in bush camp, is an asset.

QUALITY CHECKING

Most planting crews have at least one person on staff that is dedicated to setting up and recording plots of the work as it is completed. Feedback is given to the crew for any adjustments required, and information is submitted to the client.

How to Apply: Please apply using the Experienced Planter Application found here.

Requirements: good computer skills, silviculture experience, survey certification is required in some regions.

FIELD MANAGEMENT

Many opportunities exist for seasoned tree planters who wish to move into a different role. Every year we hire crewbosses (forepersons), tree delivery staff and supervisors to run crews. Contact one of our Regional Managers for more information.

How to Apply: Please email hiring@brinkman.ca for more information.

Requirements: usually a minimum of 4 years tree planting experience.

STAND TENDING

Years after trees have been planted the plantation requires maintenance to ensure optimal growth. This term encompasses a few different jobs, namely:

Brushing – involves using either manual or power saws to cut back competing vegetation around the planted trees.

Spacing – involves removing selected trees so that there is more room and less competition for the remaining ones.

Pruning – involves cutting select branches off trees to encourage height growth and minimize disease.

Herbicide Application – involves spraying or using another type of application of products designed to kill off competing species. Certification required.

How to Apply: Apply Here

*Requirements: experience in stand tending preferrd but not required.

TREE PROTECTOR MAINTENANCE/REMOVAL – At the time of planting, various methods of protection might be applied to the tree to keep the deer and other rodents from eating the trees. Years later, these supplies need to be repaired or removed. This job involves snipping and removing the protectors and carrying them to the roadside for further collection.

How to Apply: Apply Here

Requirements: experience in stand tending and/or silviculture.

SURVEYS

This type of work performs various types of plots, primarily on existing plantations and provides information accordingly. Typically, there are small crews of 2-8 people.

How to Apply: Apply Here

Requirements: survey certification is required in some locations.

FIRST AID & SAFETY

Every crew requires designated first aid staff and at least one person to complete the administration of the Safety Program. This is typically done in addition to regular field work, planting or otherwise.

How to Apply: Apply Here and please make a note of your qualification on your application.

*Requirements: first aid certification is required, but varies depending on the jurisdiction.