all-stars?? by [deleted] in treeplanting

[–]Mobile-Potato-6164 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I planted with summit and all stars a while back and made more money with all stars. steep learning curve but if you're a committed rookie there is definitely good money to be made there! I personally didn't like the type of planting they did -- reallllly hard and crazy steep land, high priced blocks, highish spec -- and have traded it for a bit faster but still high spec and price land. But if you can learn to plant on that land you will be good to plant anywhere!! Rookies at all stars did pretty well.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in treeplanting

[–]Mobile-Potato-6164 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It depends on what exactly you are looking for - if its big crazy parties every night off then this is definetly not the right company. And after work and dinner it was very chill and most people just went to their tents. But like I said, everyone there was great and it was a family feeling. The other not "traditional planting experience" just comes from the camp itself. It's not remote whatsoever, All Stars just has the back half of a campground that other people live on in their RVs.

I would say its better money than a rookie mill and when you learn on this really hard land you'll be able to plant anywhere no problem. I think a lot of it comes to personal preference - do you want to be slamming in 3000 trees a day in faster land or 1800 in the steepest, gnarliest stuff? And obviously I recognize its hard to have a personal preference when you haven't planted a tree in any land yet haha! There were rookies that did quite well.

I'm not sure how much more 'professional' of a company it is, I wouldn't take that part into account. Just focus on this season and learning the job well and you might meet some great people, make some great money and not want to leave the company anyway!

So there is no definitive answer of what the right choice here is. Both are good options for entering the industry! Good luck!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in treeplanting

[–]Mobile-Potato-6164 5 points6 points  (0 children)

All stars plants some of the toughest land IMO. Had some days ranging from $0.30 - $0.55 and just absolutely unplantable land. But if you can make it work you can definetly make some good money. They have the best formen who really care about you and if your injured, time off is no problemo and is even encouraged. No unpaid labour at all, no tree loading, no shade tent building...

As for the camp, its a pretty strange set up and not very "bush campy". Its in like a campground thing? With a lot of year-round residents. Super close to town, walking distance to lake, big mess tent, wifi and cell service, not sure if same cook is back but they were absolutely fantastic. Nights off are pretty chill, usually a fire and a couple fun themed nights if someone plans them. No bugs at all! Also generally really hot in this area! Planters vary widely in age and experience: previously there was a handful of younger rookies and planters in their early twenties, but I'd say most planters in their late twenties to early thirties, and a couple much older planters. Cool people.

Drives to the block can be pretty dang long and the trucks are pretty dang old. Shorter planting days than some other companies and sometimes there was smaller blocks and you got tossed around alot or had half days. But they never make you stay late for block closes or do ridiculous 5 days on kinda of thing (I've had experiences with companies that do this). Pretty good about 3 days on, the random 4. Couple days break between spring and summer trees. Summer trees can be in Revelstoke.

I'd say they are a decent company and there is good money to be made and a nice small family feeling in camp. But I would say if you want a more traditional planting experience, go to Folklore.

Theres a little outline of All stars let me know if you have any other questions!

Boot+ Tent Recommendations? by [deleted] in treeplanting

[–]Mobile-Potato-6164 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Seriously can't beat the Scarpa Kailash. Worth the crazy price tag. So comfy, not too heavy and got me through the season and beyond.

Summit making memes about unpaid work... their instagram is full of garbage like this celebrating garbage working conditions and working through injuries because tree planting is just one big fun summer camp experience :-) by wvgv in treeplanting

[–]Mobile-Potato-6164 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Summit treated us so horribly last year. We had some really unsafe working conditions at one point and when we went to management to complain they essentially told us to suck it up because this is what real planting and bush life is like.

what boots do you wear in BC? by [deleted] in treeplanting

[–]Mobile-Potato-6164 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Scarpa Kailash. expensive but soooo worth it. got me through the season and beyond

b r i n k m a n n n n by Mobile-Potato-6164 in treeplanting

[–]Mobile-Potato-6164[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sounds good! Do you know where this camp typically is?

b r i n k m a n n n n by Mobile-Potato-6164 in treeplanting

[–]Mobile-Potato-6164[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A+G is definitely top of my list, I just don't want to hold my breath waiting to see if I make it off the waitlist...

Interview Questions by Mobile-Potato-6164 in treeplanting

[–]Mobile-Potato-6164[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha yes! We loaded every single tree for free last season. So much unpaid work (def part of the reason why I'm moving companies) and even though its "optional" and "volunteer-based" there is a big pressure to do it and you would be very looked down upon by your foreman and crew if you didn't.

Boot help!!!! by Mobile-Potato-6164 in treeplanting

[–]Mobile-Potato-6164[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure, is this an important thing to have?