The following images were taken over the years while working and living in the bush in Northern Ontario.

Morning

Slash Pile Burning in Ogoki, ON, Canada

Noon

Slash Pile Burning in Ogoki, ON, Canada

Night

Slash Pile Burning in Ogoki, ON, Canada

There is my old bus, access is rarely this good.

Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada

Sometimes there are serious obstacles that prevent access

(Before) – Looking South

Tree Planting in Ogoki, ON, Canada

We used timber that was left behind by the logging company to build a quad bridge.

(After) – Looking North

Tree Planting in Ogoki, ON, Canada

Quad access makes things harder. A high percentage of time is spent trying to dig/lift quads out of mud holes. Quads are used to run trees when a truck can’t get in.

Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada

When quads aren’t enough, you can use a helicopter ($) or a bombi. Bombi access is terribly difficult. I got really stuck. We quickly unloaded the trees to slow the sinking.

Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada

No matter how hard you try you can’t dig one of these out.

Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada

We used a skidder to pull out the bombi, we had some difficulties while unloading. We are using that railway tie to prevent the skidder from falling off the bed of the 5 ton truck. The tie is propped between the truck and skidder – I am reversing the white 1 ton to apply the required force. The skidder has a large winch with 1″ steel wire, the skidder is designed to drag trees out of the bush. We used it to pull the bombi out. On the first attempt the cable broke – scary recoil.

Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada

Back on dry land to get more trees, then turn around and try not to get stuck in the swamp.

Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada

Some tall poplars left behind after the clear cut. One day there will be a tree farm there.

Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada

Dragonflies; a tree planters best friends

Tree Planting in Dubreuilville, ON, Canada | Bagging Up

No rain + High Temp = Fire Hours (4am to 12pm). Before sunrise, morning mist.

Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada

One season I had a very unique co-worker; Sandy (67yrs old) had been planting for more than 3 decades.

Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada

The forest fire in the background grew to 16,000ha, a lightning storm ignited it. The tree runner and myself reported it at 3am. This photo was taken at 10am. The cook is remaining calm while we are packing/evacuating. The fire swept through the campsite 9hrs later.

Tree Planting in Ogoki, ON, Canada

2005 was my last year in the bush. I worked 7 seasons total (planter 2yrs, crew boss 4 yrs, project manager 1 yr). It is my understanding that this whole industry in ON has gone up in smoke.

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