Christmas Tree Worker

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Christmas trees.
Workers will perform heavy manual field work including but not limited to planting, cultivating and harvesting Christmas evergreen trees on a tree farm. Remove brush, ferns and other growth from planting area using tractor, mattocks and brush hooks. Plant seedlings using mattock or dibble. May scatter fertilizer pellets over planted area by hand or spreader. May spray herbicides or pesticides. Shear tops and limb tips from trees as specified by supervisor to control growth, increase limb density and improve shape. Select trees for cutting according to markings or size, species and grade and fell trees using axe or chain saw. May drive trucks or tractors to transport trees from the field to central loading area. Make wreaths and roping from cut greenery produced on the farm. Drag cut trees from cutting area, run trees through tree baler and load trees onto trucks for transport. Products must be handled carefully to prevent damage.

Workers will take inventory and grade plants, prepare trees and shrubs for digging by tying or wrapping as necessary; dig; wrap burlap or other covering around root balls and secure with twine and/or staples; crimp wire baskets; lift, carry and load nursery stock; and unload, move or load supplies, including wire baskets. Hand dig ornamental evergreens and conifers. Prepare fields for planting by clearing cull stock, brush and debris; plant seedlings or ‘liners' by hand (including riding and inserting liners in a mechanical planter); hand dig, load, unload or transplant bare-root nursery stock; straighten, tie, prune and shear trees and shrubs; cut, pull or remove and mow weeds or grass; move irrigation equipment; apply agricultural chemicals: herbicides and insecticides and apply fertilizer.

Work is to be done in the field for long periods of time. Work requires repetitive movements and extensive walking. Workers may assist in loading trucks with nursery stock and materials weighing up to 60 pounds and lifting to a height of 5 feet. Workers should be able to work on their feet in bent positions for long periods of time. Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, insect spray, related chemicals, etc. may affect workers' ability to perform the job. Workers are exposed to wet weather early in the morning through the heat of the day, working in fields. Temperatures may range from 10 to 100 F. Workers may be required to work during occasional showers not severe enough to stop field operations.

This is a nonsupervisory position. Workers exhibiting heightened skills and work performance may be asked to exercise independent judgement in discharging job duties, as well as support crew supervisors by demonstrating tasks to other workers and assisting in training them as necessary.

Must follow supervisor's instructions on pruning/shearing. Shear trees with proper taper and bud cut angle for quality.

Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Shorts, bathing suits or other casual clothing not permitted. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work.

Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Repairfences. Clear debris from field and clean/maintain farm buildings, structures, equipment, and work areas.

In addition, workers may be required to perform variable tasks such as the following: irrigation, ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, weeding, trimming, tagging, packing, and other tasks related to general farming.

Work will also include heavy mechanized field work using power equipment. By way of example and not limitation power equipment may include power shears, chain saws, and tractors. Workers will be expected to operate and maintain agricultural equipment with or without direction.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of one month of verifiable prior experience working on a tree farm handling both manual and machine tasks associated with commodity production and harvest activities. Workers must be able to perform manual as well as mechanized activities with accuracy and efficiency. Applicants must be able to furnish verifiable job reference(s) or comparable third party documentation from recent employer(s) establishing acceptable prior experience. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs.