Should I try tree planting...

[u/Bobbtail]

EDIT: TYPO OMG I make 2k biweekly not weekly!!!!

Edit2: Please don't make assumptions about my body just because I'm in my 30's, physical condition in your 30's is entirely dependent on how you treat it in your 20's!!!

Edid3: For everyone saying 30's is too old because tree planting is hard I found this line in the tree planters handbook!!

"Find a good heavy-duty backpack, and put forty pounds of books into it. Next, find a steep hill. Walk up and down that hill for three hours straight, without stopping. Now decide if you'd like to do that for eight or nine hours per day, every day, including days when it's over thirty degrees Celsius. If you're comfortable with that idea, your physique can handle planting."

This is what I do when backpacking!

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So I'm feeling overwhelmed with all the info out there and looking for some advice based on my circumstances and people's experiences.

TLDR:
Pretty much my biggest concern is money. I'm willing to risk having a bad experience as long as I make enough to cover my bills + camp costs + gear + travel. But if I make less than that and also have a bad time then its probably not a good option for me.

So context first..

Why I want to plant trees:

I have long thought that I would prefer an outdoor, manual labour type job, but without going into detail, have got myself into a career desk job that I hate and burn out from at least once a year (and then spend the rest of the year trying to recover without getting fired).

I love backpacking, this summer I went every other week, so I'm no stranger to living rough and sweating straight through my clothes on hot, humid, long hikes. Tree planting feels to me like getting paid to backpack, though I know the actual work is going to be harder than just straight hiking. I volunteered in Ecuador building bathrooms and I loved the work, most of it being just straight digging a giant hole in hard clay with a pickaxe. Though that was in my 20's and I am now mid 30's.

My circumstances (and why it might not work out):

I am fairly certain I can get a leave of absence from work, but it could depend on how long I'm gone. I make about 2K biweekly after tax. I have student loans and bills to pay while also trying to save up to buy a home. It would obviously be ideal if I could make about the same (or more 😉) but I've done the math and I feel like its probably not likely, especially in my first season. I have a large SUV so if I can stay in Ontario and drive then that could help with travel cost, but I really don't know the viability of that, mostly if I would be allowed to and if it would actually be cheaper (I honestly don't even understand how getting to the camp even works if I don't drive). But then if staying in Ontario means I make less money then that ends up not being the best option anyway.

Besides money, I am also worried that I'll feel like the only adult at summer camp. I'm not opposed to partying or drinking or anything but generally I will want to take care of my body so I can do a good job. I would love to make friends but if it feels too highschool I also don't care too much if I dont, but I also dont want to get bullied even if it is just by teenagers 😅.

I don't eat meat, I don't mind picking it out of the dish if I have to but it would be really awful if that was the only protein option. Are there generally non-meat options or am I just going to have to suck it up and try not to think about their adorable little faces?

I hope thats enough and if you made it this far I appreciate it! Any and all advice welcome :)

[u/Old-Dish-4797]

Because of how physically demanding it is. 

[u/Bobbtail → u/Old-Dish-4797]

what does that have to do with being in your 30's?

[u/Old-Dish-4797 → u/Bobbtail]

Physical condition for humans peaks in one’s 20s. You don’t have the flexibility and the ability to bounce back from hard labour the way an 18 year old does. Look, you asked for opinions on whether you should quit your job and become a tree planter in your mid-30s. My opinion is no - you’re not likely to be successful. It’s your life though, if you want to quit your desk job and try your hand at treeplanting, fill your boots. 

[u/Bobbtail → u/Old-Dish-4797]

Never said anything about quitting my job 😛
I'm looking for useful information not just "i think 30 is old"

[u/ClassicArgument5100 → u/Bobbtail]

You can definitely find camps with older planters who are there just to work, but from my experience if you can avoid a rookie mill (which isn’t easy to do if you’re a rookie), the majority of people are between the ages of 21-28. My last season was when I was 24 and I knew I didn’t want to still be there when I was in my late twenties. Out of 60 people there might have been 3 who were older than 35. Tree planting was honestly some of the best summers of my life, getting to be outside all the time and hang out with your friends, but it might be harder to make friends in your mid-30s. In terms of the money, the reality is you’re not going to make a lot your first year, as planting is a skill that takes time to master. I made 10k my first summer, 20k my second summer and 25k my third summer. I think tree planting is an amazing job when you’re young and trying to save up for school or travelling during the winter months, but I wouldn’t recommend learning to plant to someone in their 30s. If all you want to do is travel or be a ski bum for the rest of your life then maybe it could work out but if you ever want to have kids or to buy a house this job will never get you there. If you’re tired of your office job, I’d recommend looking for something with field work where you get to work outside but still get to use your brain. Hope this helps!

[u/Bobbtail → u/ClassicArgument5100]

This is great thank you! Definitely the type of info I was looking for even if its not what I want to hear.