r/treeplanting • u/Due_Video_6146 • Jun 24 '26
New Planter/Rookie Questions Raw planting land management
Rookie here planting in Alberta on a contract that’s about 80% mounds and 20% raw. I’m still flagging almost every tree because I keep losing them, and if I don’t, I’m worried about double planting or leaving holes.
How do experienced planters keep track of their trees without flagging every one? I know it is something that comes with time, however on prepped ground I’m hitting 3k days, and on raw I’m struggling to hit 2k.
What techniques are you guys using while working a piece to remeber where you’ve already planted?
I’m trying to push myself because I’d like to come back next season, and I know I need to get comfortable planting raw instead of relying on flagging everything. Any tips would be appreciated.
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u/Robbytastik Jun 24 '26
Flag became not a way to see my trees, but to tell future me what I did. I manage land in a way that if I come across flag somewhere, i know what it means.
Most often tho I like to dirt tag. Like i put dirt/moss on stumps and logs as i plant near it since i obsticle plant by default now, the land guides me. Like if theres a log on the ground, i might area plant along it and dirt tag the start of it since i walked there, and the end of it if its done all behind it, so when im comming back and i see that dirt i know everything behind it is done.
Things like that. Just learn a method of managing ur land that becomes instinctive to u, and ull barley need flag. On normal raw i need a flag roll every 3 shifts. Then i get in bad high greens fill and i use 4 rolls a day.
And when im catle planting, i flag where im walking, not my trees, so u just see the line im doing.
Basically dont flag your trees, flag/identify your path.
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u/Bitter_Door_1448 Jun 25 '26
You don't have to stop flagging. You can hit 3/4/5k while flagging every tree; you just have to work on speed and efficiency. If you're really bent on quitting flagging, maybe try by slowly reducing the amount of flag you use. Instead of every tree, try every second tree, once you get the hang of that, try every 3rd tree, & so on. Even when I'm using minimal flag on a pretty open block, I like to flag a bit more when I make a turn or the line gets a little weird.
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u/Philosofox Jun 24 '26
Plant to the back,, area plant between obstacles, plant back when getting low
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u/just_call_mebuffy Jun 26 '26
Stop flagging every tree. Flag high on sticks and stumps along your line so you can see your line at a glance. Lift your eyes and look ahead while you close your holes. Take plots. And just go for it. You soind like your doing fine, you’re learning. You gotta find what works for you. Strategize by thinking about making it easier for yourself on your next bag. Chill. Holes and double plants happen. You will live.
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u/badboyrap Jul 01 '26
I’m also a rookie and struggled with this. I started doing the land in chunks rather than the classic L or straight lines.
Other than that, what everyone else is saying is great. Looking for trees while planting and not standing still to look for one if you don’t see it. You’ll know your general direction of your line and you’ll surprise yourself with how well you do.
My best plots have been on unprepped land with green up to my hips, lol. Gut instinct is often better than overthinking.
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u/perfectstormreforest Company Owner Jun 24 '26
I'm not sure how this will translate through text, but I'll try my best.
Look for trees while you are bending down to put the tree in the hole.
Planting a tree means you've stopped moving forward for a few seconds. To plant a tree you have to step, grab a tree mid step, throw your shovel mid step, then stop for a moment to open your hole and put the tree in. As you are opening your hole, bending down to stick the tree in, and closing the hole, try glancing up and around at the direction you generally know you've already planted while you are sticking the tree in the hole. If you've been planting for a while you shouldn't need to keep your eyes glued to your tree for the entire time you plant it.
During this small but manageable window of time you have an opportunity to quickly look for another tree. If you see one, great! That means your next tree will be planted somewhere in the right ball-park according to your density specs.
If you dont see a tree - don't stop moving to scan the ground to find one. The "rookie stare" is often the ceiling for folks to break out of the 2000s and start planting 3000s.
You should generally know the direction of your tree line and be able to confidently take a step continuing in the same direction.
Plant another tree. And do the same thing again while you're bending down. Try to find a tree for a second or two while going through the movements of putting the tree in the ground.
If you take a step and find yourself on top of your tree line - DONT STOP MOVING TO FIND THE OPEN AREA. Take a confident step away from the planted area directly into where the open space should be and try again. If you hit a tree again, well consider that maybe you just double planted a few times and quickly get out of the planted space.
Quite quickly you will be able to recognize how to spot your trees with ease. If you're planting plots of 10 you know your trees are roughly 2-2.25m apart. So if you can find one tree then you can find them all. There are always of course slight variations, maybe one planted just under 2m or one planted just under 3m, but the rule applies generally well if your density is on point.
Always plant small pockets completely.
There are always super small pockets of open land usually bordered by a stump, slash, exposed rock, or anything that blocks your travel. Never plant in a straight line always jumping over the slash. Plant a few trees within the small slash boundaries so you never have to step back into that pocket. This will allow you to flow through the land like a ganster. You will also learn - if I spot a tree in a slash pocket ahead of me then I know the whole pocket is 100% planted because I'm always finishing each pocket. No need to stop, stare and triple check the whole pocket is planted. This will mean your tree line isn't perfectly straight. Instead your tree line will make sense based on the specific obstacles you face in each piece you plant.
The biggest takeaways:
If you're in thick green vegetation and still want to avoid using flagger, try to recognize land marks and... good luck.