MANITOUWADGE -- When asked about their favourite area to plant trees in Northern Ontario, the overwhelming consensus was Manitouwadge, which the tree planters call ‘The Bush town’. “We feel very welcome here,” they all affirm, chowing down on the barbequed hot dogs and hamburgers at the Tree Planters Appreciation picnic, held at Prospector Park in downtown Manitouwadge.
The picnic was organized by the Manitouwadge Economic Development Corporation and with the help of our local businesses. This volunteer-run corporation encourages people to shop and dine locally, and to explore the resources this community has to offer. While not directly affiliated with the Township of Manitouwadge, the MEDC works closely with them on economic development initiatives, including support to new and existing businesses.
They are responsible for organizing the annual ATV Jamboree, putting up the welcome banners around town and the ‘Play in the Extreme’ billboards dotting the landscape all across Northern Ontario, and were the driving force behind the ‘Gateway Project’ at the corner of highways 614 and 17. ‘Extreme Dollars’ is another of the corporation’s projects. This currency, often purchased to use as prizes and incentives, is another way to encourage local spending.
The MEDC recognizes that the 35 to 40 tree planters who come to work in the north every spring spend much of their very hard-earned cash in Manitouwadge. This picnic is one way to show them that their presence is valued by the town, and that we appreciate their role in the reforestation of the North.
These tree planters arrive in Northern Ontario in early May, and by the time they pack up and leave in mid-July they’ll have planted more than 3.9 million trees. They’ll head out into the prepared areas, collect the bags of pine saplings, and plant them with as much grace and speed as the terrain allows. It may take a season or two to acquire the rhythm needed to work around the rubble and debris, but once it’s mastered, a tree planter will rise to the dance: digging, stooping, planting the sapling, and moving on to the next in mere moments. The most prolific ‘Swamp Donkey’ of the group was a three-year veteran named Matt. The group reverently reveals that he planted more than 175,000 trees during the season, his best being 8,000 in one day.
There’s a lot of adversity to deal with out in the bush: injuries, dehydration, frostbite and sunburn just to name a few. The planters often meet up with moose, bears, lynx, cranes and Ruffed grouse, otherwise known as ‘Bush Chickens’. The three dogs that travel with the group have learned to stay away from the porcupines.
At the end of the day, they return to the base camp, which consists of a cook house, dining tent, and sanitary facilities and shower. Although the food is simple, it is hardy and abundant. PB&J (Peanut butter and jelly) sandwiches, wraps and fruit are favourites out on the block, but a more substantial meal is waiting for them, thanks to camp cook, Rosemary. When night falls, they tuck into tents, personal vehicles or RVs, brought along by the individual workers.
It's a hard life, but it’s rewarding in many ways. There’s a sense of camaraderie that’s built up in such a closed community. Folks come from all over the world to plant trees, and they all leave a little bit richer, both financially and with new friendships that will last forever.
“It’s all love. We’re a family,” they say fondly.
Some do get a little homesick, though. I promised to pass on this message from first-timer, Curtis. He says, “Hi Mom!”
