Primary Sector

To Become Tree Planter (Reforestation – highly physical seasonal job) in Ontario: Salary, Training, and Career Outlook

by Occupations.ca Team
12 min read

Have you ever wanted to spend your spring and early summer outdoors, Travel across Northern Ontario, and see the immediate impact of your work on the landscape? If you don’t mind hard physical effort and you like getting paid for performance, tree planting in Ontario could be a fit for you.

Job Description

Tree planters work on Reforestation crews that plant seedlings on sites that have been harvested or disturbed. In Ontario, most planting happens in the boreal and Great Lakes–St. Lawrence forest regions, often in remote areas north of Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, Timmins, and Cochrane. You are paid mostly by the tree (piece-rate), and your earnings depend on your speed, accuracy, and endurance.

You will typically live in a bush camp or a small-town base for several weeks at a time. A planting day can be 8–10+ hours in all kinds of weather: cold spring mornings, hot afternoons, rain, wind, blackflies, mosquitoes, and rough ground covered in slash and stumps. The work is fast, repetitive, and technical—good planters combine strength with careful planting quality.

Daily work activities

  • Wake early, load trucks or buses, and travel to the planting block.
  • Fill planting bags with bundles of seedlings, often conifers like spruce or pine grown in Ontario nurseries.
  • Plant continuously across your piece of land (your “piece”), following spacing and microsite rules.
  • Hydrate and snack throughout the day to keep energy up.
  • Keep count of trees planted; quality-check your holes and plug depth.
  • Take short breaks as instructed, then reset bags and continue to plant.
  • At day’s end, record your production, clean gear, and prepare for the next day.
  • Live cooperatively in camp (tents or bunkhouses), follow Safety meetings, and help with basic camp chores.

Main tasks

  • Read terrain and choose proper microsites (e.g., mounds, mineral soil patches).
  • Use a planting shovel or dibble to make holes at correct depth and angle.
  • Plant seedlings at proper depth, firm soil, and maintain spacing and density targets.
  • Follow silviculture prescriptions and quality standards set by the forester/contractor.
  • Carry and manage seedlings to minimize exposure, heat, and desiccation.
  • Navigate cut-blocks and flagging; work safely around vehicles and equipment.
  • Communicate with crew leaders; accept feedback; keep a steady pace.
  • Maintain personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow health and safety procedures.
  • Report hazards, near-misses, and injuries promptly.

Required Education

There is no formal education required to become a Tree Planter in Ontario. Employers hire for fitness, attitude, and willingness to work safely. That said, the right Training can help you get hired, earn more, and move into higher roles (quality checker, crew boss, foreperson, or silviculture surveyor).

Diplomas and training paths

  • Certificate (1 day to a few weeks)
    • Standard First Aid/CPR (highly recommended).
    • Wilderness/Remote First Aid (preferred by many employers).
    • Chainsaw safety (useful if you later take on brushing or camp Support roles).
    • Defensive driving or off-road driving (useful for crew drivers).
    • Ontario Tree Marking Course (for future silviculture/forest operations roles).
  • College Diploma (2–3 years)
    • Forestry Technician, Forest Ecosystem Management, or Natural Environment Technician. These diplomas are valuable if you plan to advance into forestry, silviculture Supervision, or Surveying in Ontario.
  • Bachelor’s Degree (4 years)
    • Forestry or Natural Resources Management. This is not required for planting, but it opens doors to roles in planning, inventory, Compliance, and forest management with industry, Consulting firms, and the Ontario government.
See also  To Become Fishing Vessel Master / Captain in Ontario: Salary, Training, and Career Outlook.

Length of studies

  • Certificates: 1–4 days (First Aid), 2–5 days (Tree Marking), or short modules.
  • College Diploma: 2 years (some 3-year advanced diplomas).
  • Bachelor’s Degree: 4 years.

Where to study? (Ontario)

Helpful training providers and resources (Ontario)

Salary and Working Conditions

Pay structure and realistic earnings

Tree planters in Ontario are usually paid piece-rate (per tree). The rate varies by block difficulty, species, spacing, and access. Easier ground pays less per tree; harder ground pays more. Your earnings depend on production and quality.

  • Entry-level daily earnings (first season)
    • Expect about 1,400–2,500 trees/day once you get the basics.
    • At typical Ontario rates, that often works out to roughly $140–$250 per day early on, rising as your technique improves. Some first-years finish the season averaging $180–$260/day.
    • A full Ontario spring season (6–10 weeks, weather dependent) might yield $8,000–$14,000 for many first-year planters, depending on camp fees, days lost to weather, and your learning curve.
  • Experienced daily earnings (2+ seasons)
    • Consistent planters often average 2,500–4,000+ trees/day on mixed ground.
    • Many experienced Ontario planters average $250–$400 per day, with peak days higher on good lines.
    • A strong Ontario season may total $15,000–$25,000+ before deductions.

Important notes about pay in Ontario:

Working conditions

  • Seasonality: Ontario’s main spring season runs roughly from early May to late June/early July, depending on snow melt, road bans, and seedling deliveries. Some employers also run summer or fall plants (August–October) tied to specific projects or weather windows.
  • Location: Expect remote boreal forest sites with rough roads; you may camp in tents or bunkhouses and be out for weeks.
  • Hours: 8–10+ hours/day of planting plus travel to/from blocks.
  • Weather and bugs: You will work in rain, heat, and cold, with heavy blackfly and mosquito pressure in May–June.
  • Safety: Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) protects your right to a safe workplace and to refuse unsafe work.
  • Forest management context: Ontario’s reforestation is guided by the Crown Forest Sustainability Act and operational plans overseen by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).
See also  To Become Silviculture Worker / Brush Cutter (Young forest maintenance thinning) in Ontario: Salary, Training, and Career Outlook.

Job outlook

Tree planting in Ontario is supported by ongoing harvest-and-renewal cycles, forest management obligations, and large-scale tree planting programs.

Overall, seasonal openings are regular in Ontario each year, particularly for reliable, safety-focused workers willing to commit to the full season.

Key Skills

Soft skills

  • Work ethic and grit: You get paid for what you plant; persistence is key.
  • Stress tolerance: Bugs, weather, and fatigue are constant; you must stay calm and focused.
  • Teamwork and camp living: Respect others in tight quarters; help your crew succeed.
  • Communication: Ask for feedback early; clarify quality standards; report hazards.
  • Self-management: Pace yourself, hydrate, and fuel properly to avoid burnout.
  • Adaptability: Switch techniques and strategies for different soils and slash conditions.

Hard skills

  • Planting technique: Correct hole depth, plug handling, spacing, and microsite selection.
  • Navigation and block reading: Use flagging, maps, and landmarks to cover your piece efficiently.
  • Equipment handling: Use a planting shovel/dibble safely; care for seedlings and gear.
  • Physical fitness: Cardiovascular endurance, leg strength, and core stability.
  • Safety basics: First Aid/CPR, heat/cold stress management, Wildlife awareness.
  • Driving and logistics (asset): Safe operation of pickups or crew cabs on forest roads; understanding of licence classes.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

  • Performance pay: The faster and smarter you plant (with quality), the more you earn.
  • Short, intense season: Great for students and seasonal workers to stack income.
  • Travel and nature: See Northern Ontario, work outdoors, and build resilience.
  • Gateway to forestry: Planting experience leads to silviculture surveying, tree marking, crew Leadership, and natural resources roles.
  • Community: Strong camaraderie; you’ll build lifelong connections.

Disadvantages

  • Highly physical: Risk of overuse injuries (knees, wrists, back) and blisters.
  • Weather and insects: Blackflies, mosquitoes, rain, heat, and cold are routine.
  • Remote living: Long periods away from home; limited cell service and amenities.
  • Variable income: Weather delays, tough blocks, or slow learning curve can reduce earnings.
  • Piece-rate pressure: You must manage fatigue and quality without overexertion.

Expert Opinion

If you are new to tree planting in Ontario, set yourself up for success before day one. Build a base of cardio and leg endurance (hiking with a loaded pack, stair climbs, interval training), and strengthen your grip and core. Learn about planting quality standards—depth, straightness, plug contact, and spacing are non-negotiable and protect survival rates.

Choose your employer carefully. Ask specific questions:

  • What are the typical piece-rates and block types in Ontario this season?
  • How are camp costs handled, and what do they include?
  • What training is provided in Week 1 (quality checks, safe work procedures, First Aid coverage)?
  • How is travel organized and paid within Ontario?
  • What is the policy on rest days, public holidays, and weather shutdowns?
  • What gear does the company supply (shovels, bags) and what do you need to bring?
See also  To Become Control Room Operator - Mine (Remote operations management) in Ontario: Salary, Training, and Career Outlook

On the job, treat the first two weeks as your technical apprenticeship. Focus on clean technique, not speed. Ask a veteran planter or crew boss to watch you plant and give targeted feedback on hole depth, plug handling, and stride. Protect your hands and feet (tape hotspots, change socks at lunch). Fuel up with high-calorie snacks and steady hydration. Small adjustments—bag setup, shovel angle, stride rhythm—can add hundreds of trees per day and prevent injuries.

Think ahead if you want to stay in forestry. In Ontario, the path from planter to quality checker, crew boss, or silviculture surveyor is realistic in 2–4 seasons if you perform well and complete short courses (e.g., Ontario Tree Marking Course, Wilderness First Aid). If you enjoy the field and want stability, consider an Ontario college diploma in Forestry or Natural Resources, or a degree at Lakehead University for long-term roles in operations, compliance, or planning.

Finally, know your rights and responsibilities. Under the OHSA, you have the right to a safe workplace and to refuse unsafe work; under the ESA, minimum wage and vacation pay rules apply. Confirm WSIB coverage and keep records of hours, pieces, and deductions. Planting is tough, but with the right preparation and mindset, it can be one of the most rewarding seasonal jobs in Ontario.

FAQ

When do Ontario tree planting companies hire, and where should I apply?

Most Ontario employers recruit from December to March, with interviews and offers happening by late winter. Apply early. Reputable contractors active in Ontario include:

Also watch the federal Job Bank and campus job boards in Ontario:

What gear should I bring for an Ontario spring planting season?

Plan for cold mornings, wet ground, and insects. Core items:

  • Waterproof boots with ankle support (bring a second pair) and gaiters.
  • Durable rain gear (jacket and pants), quick-dry layers, warm base layers.
  • Planting gloves, athletic tape, blister care kit, sunscreen, lip balm.
  • Bug jacket/head net, DEET or picaridin repellent.
  • 2–3 large water bottles or a hydration bladder (carry 3–4 litres/day).
  • High-calorie snacks and lunches (ask about camp food).
  • Quality sleeping bag (rated to near-freezing), sleeping pad, reliable tent (if tent camp).
  • Headlamp, power bank, personal first-aid kit.
    Your employer may supply shovels and planting bags—confirm before you buy.

Can international students or workers plant trees in Ontario?

Yes, but you must have the legal right to work in Canada. International students can typically work full-time during scheduled academic breaks; check your study permit conditions. Other non-residents need an appropriate work permit. Always confirm your status with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before accepting a job.

What happens if I get injured on the block?

Report the injury to your crew leader immediately, seek first aid, and document details. Ontario employers in this sector generally carry WSIB coverage; a timely report helps with access to Benefits if needed.

How can I move from planting into year-round forestry work in Ontario?

Use planting seasons to build field credibility and add short credentials:

  • Complete the Ontario Tree Marking Course for silviculture and compliance roles:
  • Earn Wilderness First Aid and chainsaw safety (via Workplace Safety North).
  • Consider an Ontario college diploma (Fleming, Sault, Confederation, Collège Boréal) or an undergraduate degree at Lakehead University for long-term career growth in forest management, operations, or planning.
  • Network with Ontario foresters and contractors; ask to assist with silviculture surveys, site prep assessments, or quality audits at season’s end.

By taking these steps, you can turn a seasonal tree planting job in Ontario into a solid pathway within the province’s forest sector.

You may also like