Planters tree planter

[L3650]

Every year in spring someone asks me to help plant trees. I'm thinking of buying the implement and offering the service. Charge $0.10 per tree for 1,000 or more, $100 for 500 - 999 trees, plus $35/hour for the tractor and travel time.

Anyone have experience with any particular brand of mechanical tree planter? Forward facer or back facing? Any other tips or tricks to consider?

 

[rdln]

I have only used a whitefield or whitfield.
It was a single front facing.

I rented it for $1 as part of my new tractor deal in 1993. The salesman said when you get the hang of it, you can plant 1000 per hour. He charged $100 per 1000 seedlings for 2 person crew labor then.

I would say unless you see any topographical features that would slow you down, keep it simple and charge $150 per 1000 with a $150 minimum.

Keep a straight line by focusing on an object far away and drive toward it, keeping a steady ground speed, while person on planter counts to a certain number and drop, count, drop.....

There is also a Holland mechanical transplanter that is semi-automatic.

Read Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold to improve your spiritual connection with planting trees.