Tree planting jobs in Canada: how to spend a season as a planter

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What does a tree planter actually do?

Planters carry bags full of seedlings, open the ground with a shovel, insert the seedling, close the hole and repeat, hundreds and then thousands of times a day. Spacing, depth and microsite choice must meet standards checked by quality inspectors on every block.

Sites are cutblocks or burned areas, sometimes reached only by logging roads, boat or helicopter. Crews live in tent camps or motels, leave early in crew trucks and work in shifts of several days followed by a day off to rest and do laundry.

Camp life is a large part of the experience: shared cook tents, generator-powered showers, early nights and long drives on gravel roads. Many planters return for several seasons, and crews often include students, travellers and experienced veterans who coach newcomers on technique and pacing.

Provinces and season calendar

In British Columbia, the season starts in April on the coast and continues until August at altitude and in the north. Alberta, Ontario and Quebec plant mostly from May to July or August, once the ground has thawed and nurseries ship seedlings.

The impact of wildfires

Exceptional wildfire seasons in recent years have multiplied the area to replant, in British Columbia as well as Quebec. Public planting programs and the reforestation obligations of forest companies keep demand high for both experienced planters and first-year rookies.

After planting: other silviculture work

Late summer brings other contracts: brushing, pre-commercial thinning, surveys and sometimes wildfire support for trained workers. These jobs extend the season into October but often require brush saw training and a first aid certificate recognised in the province.

Which status do you need to plant trees in Canada?

Citizens and permanent residents can be hired directly. Foreign nationals need a work permit; there is no visa specific to tree planting, and planting companies recruit mostly Canadian students and young people on working holiday permits from partner countries.

The open permit from International Experience Canada is the most common route: French citizens aged 18 to 35 can stay up to 24 months, Belgians aged 18 to 30 for 12 months. The invitation must arrive before spring, since camps open in April and May.

Closed permits and the low-wage stream

Silviculture companies may also use the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program with an LMIA. That stream imposes a cap on foreign workers, suitable and affordable housing, and employer-paid round-trip transportation from the worker's country of residence.

The 270-day seasonal exemption

Because planting recurs on roughly the same dates every year, an employer can request the seasonal exemption from the cap for positions lasting no more than 270 days. The exemption can be used once a year per work location.

IRCC-recognised organisations

Several organisations recognised by International Experience Canada help young foreigners look for work, including rural and outdoor jobs. Most charge a fee, and their support does not replace applying directly to reforestation companies during the winter hiring period.

Pay per tree and camp costs

Planters are paid per tree, at a rate that varies with terrain difficulty. In British Columbia, piece rates must be disclosed before work starts, and the hourly minimum wage has been CAD 18.25 since June 1, 2026.

How to become a planter, step by step

1. Secure the IEC permit during winter, before camps open.
2. List reforestation companies operating in the target province.
3. Apply between December and February, the main hiring period.
4. Interview and confirm rates, camp costs and dates.
5. Buy gear and a tent suited to cold and rain.
6. Travel to the meeting point set by the employer.
7. Keep a daily log of trees planted and deductions.

Common tree planting mistakes

• Underestimating the physical effort and quitting after a week.
• Ignoring how much camp cost is deducted every day.
• Arriving without rain gear or suitable boots.
• Accepting per-tree pay without checking the hourly minimum is met.
• Neglecting tendon and wrist injuries.

Any deduction not set out in the contract, or pay below the minimum for hours worked, can be reported to the provincial employment standards office; time spent in crew trucks and waiting on site also deserves careful attention when checking pay.

Preparing your body for the season

Planting strains legs, back and shoulders on slopes covered with logging debris. Several weeks of physical preparation, generous meals and enough sleep sharply reduce the risk of tendinitis and of quitting during the hard first weeks of the season.

Tree planting in Canada: FAQ

The following answers are for beginners considering a first season; rates, camp costs and dates vary by company and contract, which is why everything should be confirmed in writing before travelling to the meeting point.

How many trees can you plant per day?

Beginners plant a few hundred trees on their first days, then improve quickly. Experienced planters exceed a thousand trees a day on good ground, which explains the very large differences in earnings between individuals over the same season.

Do I need to speak English?

In western Canada and Ontario, yes: safety briefings, quality checks and camp life are in English. In Quebec, several reforestation companies operate in French, which makes a first season easier for French speakers arriving with limited English.

Can I plant without experience?

Yes. Companies hire many rookies every year and train them on site. They look mainly for perseverance, a positive attitude in camp and the ability to work in rain, mosquitoes and cold mornings for weeks at a time.

Is tree planting worth it?

For a committed planter, often yes, especially from the second season. The first weeks pay less, and gear and camp costs reduce net income, so the season must be completed to make the experience financially worthwhile.