Gear, Equipment, and Clothing


Photo by Jaya

Here is a pretty thorough list of everything that you should be thinking about. Depending on where you will be working, and where you will be living, you list may vary - but this a good starting point.

 

Each of the topics below can be printed for your shopping reference.


Planting Gear
Photo by Warren

There are a couple of essential pices of gear that you need to plant trees.

  • Tree Planting Shovel
  • Tree Planting Bags
  • Silvicool Inserts

 

Depending on your employer, you may need some more stuff.

  • Silvicool Tarp
  • Plot Cord

 


Clothing
Photo by Sophia

From head to toes this is the the clothing that you will need.


Footwear
Photo by Jaya

There are many types of boots to choose from, all of which will do the job, but some of which will cause you pain and down time. Boots will make or break you. Spend the extra dollars to ensure happy feet from day one.

 

Boots should be bought bearing in mind that you will probably be wearing a heavy pair of socks along with an added insole.

 

Definitely wear your boots before the planting season to break them in!


Tenting Gear
Small, but very well set-up.

If you are going to be living in a bush camp, you are going to need a good tent set-up. Any sort of deficiency in this department could really suck if the weather gets nasty - and it does.

 

Before heading out for a season in a bush camp, you will need to ensure that the camping gear you may currently have will meet your needs over a 50-70 day season. Here are some items for consideration.


Sleeping Gear

This section does not apply to those of you who will be solely on hotel/motel projects.

 

Sleeping Bag

  • Bring a sleeping bag good to -5 degrees C or colder.
  • Make sure the shell is made of some sort of nylon, which helps to keep heat in, and moisture out.
  • Cautionary Note: Down bags lose all insulating ability when they get wet.

Sleeping Bag Liner

  • Will protect your sleeping bag from your greasy body.
  • Bring two if you want to be able to do a quick swap to a clean one between laundry days.
  • Buy or make from an old bed sheet.

Other Gear

This list will encompass a broad range of small necessities that will make living in the bush a bearable experience.

 

#1 - Good Duct Tape

Duct tape can be a planter's best friend, from temporarily repairing gear, to saving your fingers from imminent annihilation. Bring several roles of the good stuff. Cheap duct tape is about as useful as wet toilet paper. 3M duct tape is the best.


Bush Luggage

Transporting your stuff.


Comfortable Bush Living
Ben's Tent

You can live in the bush with a certain level of comfort. Here are a few tips that will make the rain, rocks and bugs somewhat bearable.


Waging the War on Bugs

Bugs can be a major source of frustration, especially during the spring season. Bug stories are favourites among treeplanters and no other story, however skilfully told, could stem from a more gruelling experience than your own story.

Our Sponsors

Bushpro - Tough Gear for Tough Jobs

Gear Up For Outdoors Ltd.: Shop online and get set-up before the planting season.

DATS has been offering web-based tree planter training safety solutions in one form or another since the nineties. We’re e-learning geeks with deep roots in the silviculture industry.

www.GetDATS.com

Industry Associations

The Western Silvicultural Contractors' Association has been doing great work for our industry for years. Be sure to check them out -- particularly if you are a contractor.

www.WSCA.ca
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