Tree Production Laborer

Primary duties

• Perform manual and mechanized tasks associated with the outdoor field production of field grown trees and shrubs.
• Cultivate and maintain field grown trees and shrubs.
• Prepare fields/soil for planting.
• Remove cull stock, debris, tree stumps, brush, ferns, vines and other growth from planting area using hand tools or mechanized equipment.
• Plant/pot seedlings or liners by hand or mechanical planter.
• Propagate plants from cuttings.
• Prepare trees for digging by tying or wrapping as necessary.
• Hand dig trees and other plants with shovel or tree spade.
• Perform general tree maintenance.
• Irrigate and apply fertilizer to trees, or other chemicals.
• Train, prune, trim, shear, space, transplant and cull trees to ensure availability of marketable products.
• Shear trees with proper taper and bud cut angle for quality.
• Tie/position trees by tying or wrapping as necessary.
• Select trees for cutting according to grade.
• Cut trees using axe or chainsaw.
• Drag cut trees from cutting area.
• Bale trees using tree baler.
• Wrap root balls and secure with twine or straps.
• Pack, label, tag, pull, sort, and store trees.
• Clean/maintain work area.
• Install/maintain and repair irrigation systems and water lines.
• Mow, cut, and weed fields.
• Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks.
• Bend, stoop, and kneel as required.
• Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws.
• Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies.
• Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs.
• Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required.
• Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear.
• Outdoor work required when plants are wet, or during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures.
• Temperatures in fields during working hours may vary.
• Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations.

Qualifications

• Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job.
• Work is done outdoors for long periods of time and requires prolonged periods of standing and/or walking, repetitive movements, and frequent bending and/or stooping.
• Workers must be able to handle, lift, and carry heavy or bulky objects (product, containers) in accordance with the specified lifting requirements of 75lbs.