Where Can You Tree Plant?
We operate tree planting camps across Canada - in BC, Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick.
Coastal British Columbia
The BC Coast is the ideal place for veteran planters to get into top shape for the interior season while making good money and visiting some incredible places in the process. The terrain is often very demanding, and the quality requirements can be exacting - with higher prices accordingly. Given these characteristics, our Coastal crews consist of some of the most experienced planters in the country, and we prefer applicants have at least several years of experience in the BC Interior before tackling the slopes with us.
We access worksites on the Central and North Coast frequently by boat or helicopter with crews staying in logging camps and barges, resorts and fishing camps, or mobile marine camps. Brinkman is one of a select few outfits with the personnel, infrastructure, and expertise to succeed in this remote region. The South Coast is generally accessible by truck and is more often based out of motels or tent camps. Crew sizes across the Coast are typically small; most often 12 or 18, and occasionally up to 35.
The Coastal spring plant starts between late February and early March and can last into late May. Most of the work is done throughout March and April to dovetail with our Interior projects as the crews follow the melting snow eastward. The fall plant usually starts early September and can continue well into October.
As all our Coastal Supervisors also manage Interior projects, planters can potentially double the length and earnings of their normal season with Brinkman by planting on the Coast.
For more information on Coastal work contact:
Brian Beaudry, BC Coastal Coordinator
Interior British Columbia
Our BC interior work is composed of very well paid, reliable projects that we have been planting for years, and in many cases, decades. We operate in much of the Interior but the majority of our work is in the Kootenays, Southern Cariboo, Okanagan, Prince George and the Northwest. This diversity of regions allows our planters to build the best seasons for themselves.
Our camps have very high return rates for staff and planters.
We work out of smaller tent camps ( ~18-45 person), which reduces the number of camp moves, builds a tight-knit camp culture and ultimately increases earning potential for planters.
Our projects are often near the main centres, which benefits days off and ease of getting to and from projects.
Our BC Interior work occurs mostly between mid-April and July 31st. We have season extenders into August and large fall plants in September and October. Brinkman also operates in Alberta, which provides even more opportunities for our workforce to increase work days.
For more information on Interior work contact:
Matt Robertson, BC Operations Manager
John Beaton, BC Regional Manager
Alberta
Brinkman has been successfully operating in Alberta for over 35 years in a variety of silviculture activities. Our extensive experience helps us efficiently tackle the varied conditions of the Alberta landscape. From trenches in flat ground to the slopes of the Rockies; from gumbo to heli-access (lots of heli-access!), we have seen it all. Our supervisors and staff are very experienced and able to mitigate the project’s complexities for their planters – which keeps productivity and earnings high.
Most of our work in Alberta is direct award – and as such we have the benefit of working with our clients as partners to ensure planter earnings remain high, and planters remain happy, in a safe and lucrative environment. Our long steady season, high payouts, coupled with effective and efficient management and incredible camp life make our Alberta camps highly sought after.
The main planting season runs from May until early August in Alberta. You must be available to work the entire season (particularly if you are inexperienced). Our crews are typically comprised of 80%+ experienced planters – and we are in the very fortunate position to have highly experienced staff as well.
All our Alberta projects are within three hours of Edmonton. Whether in the foothills or on flat ground, the Miette Hot Springs and Jasper Park are just a short drive away from all. We have lots of trees, great clients, experienced planters, and amazing staff to make your Alberta experience a very lucrative, safe, and fun time. If you are ready for a really long season (it always seems to be a few days longer than people can handle) in great camps, apply now!
For more information about working in Alberta contact:
Judi Tetro, Chief Operating Officer
New Brunswick
Brinkman has recently expanded its operations to include New Brunswick!
In 2022, we successfully completed our inaugural Fall contract, planting ~1.5 million trees. The following year, 2023, saw successful Spring and Fall plantings, totaling ~3 million trees with over 60 workdays. We have cultivated strong relationships that promise excellent work opportunities. This expansion allows us to offer employment to individuals on the East Coast, or for those seeking a new planting experience in the Maritimes. It also expands our August and September planting opportunities.
The New Brunswick work environment distinguishes itself from typical bush camps. We stay in comfortable logging camps equipped with modern facilities: comfortable communal space, commercial kitchen, individual bedrooms, and plenty of washrooms/shower facilities.
The planting process in New Brunswick is a bit unique: it involves using bell harnesses and cassettes instead of planting bags, a method familiar to those with experience in Quebec or the Maritimes. We provide these tools for your use during the contract, and all you need to bring is your favorite shovel. Despite the unique planting style, experienced workers can expect average earnings exceeding $300 per day, maintaining a high wage standard.
Looking ahead to 2024, we anticipate an even larger Fall season in New Brunswick. If you are an experienced planters seeking employment from mid-August through to mid-September , we encourage you to reach out to us.
For more information about working in New Brunswick, contact:
Judi Tetro, Chief Operating Officer
Mike Priestap, Regional Manager
Ontario
Brinkman began working in Ontario in 1982 and has spearheaded the growth and the diversification of the Ontario silviculture industry. Today, Brinkman operates offices out of Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Dryden and the GTA. We plant over 20 million trees in Ontario every year.
The Ontario division is a well-established and diversified silviculture service provider. We work throughout the province – both in Northern and Southern Ontario. Although planting remains our core activity, we also carry out a variety of brushing, thinning, surveying, slash pile burning, herbicide application, fire camp and restoration projects that continue into late November.
Traditionally, Ontario hires more inexperienced planters than Alberta and BC. In past years, tree prices in Ontario have been lower than Alberta and BC. Recently, however, we have been successfully advocating for higher prices in Ontario which has levelled the playing field across the country. Now you can make the same amount no matter where you are planting. And, for the first year planter, the quality specifications and the terrain are often more manageable in Ontario. Basically, it is easier to plant a tree so you can get up to speed faster and make every day count – which is important in seasonal work. We have also created a program which efficiently and effectively trains our first year planters and gets them up to speed within 10 days.
The main planting season in northern Ontario is in May and June and into July. For those who want a long season, we have 55+ days of work on some contracts that run to the end of July. Tell us what dates you are available and we can place you on a project that suits your availability. We also often offer more summer work in Alberta and Ontario.
Brinkman also works in Southern Ontario with long term clients on both public and private land. This work involves a mix of planting: afforestation, reforestation, restoration, and vegetation management: tree protection, brush saw work, and some herbicide application. The season runs from April thru to November. This work allows workers to stay closer to home but is not a typical tree planting experience. It is better described as a hybrid of tree planting and landscaping. You will be working from home or out of motels / lodges / Airbnb rentals - no bush camps. Pay is a mix of day rate and piece work.
For more information about working in Ontario, contact:
Samantha Mussells
For more information about working in Southern Ontario, contact:
Mike Hayes, Southern Ontario Regional Supervisor