Christmas Tree Farmworker

Job description

Workers will perform various duties on a Christmas Tree farm which may include cultivating color tinting, painting of trees, butt tagging, clipping boughs, baling, hauling, loading, and harvesting Christmas evergreen trees on a Christmas-tree farm. Removes weeds, brush, ferns, and other growth from planting area using hand tools such as mattock, brush hook, hoe, axe sling blade. Will hand plant seedlings, using mattock or dibble. May scatter fertilizer pellets over planted area by hand. May spray herbicides or pesticides, workers will also mow and assist with weed control. Shears tops and limb tips from trees, as specified by supervisor to control growth, increase limb density, and improve shape.

Harvesting Christmas evergreen trees on a Christmas tree farm. Selects Christmas trees for cutting according to markings or size, species, and grade as directed by the grower or supervisor. Will cut trees using chain saw or axe as directed by grower or supervisor. Will drag trees that range in weight from 50 to 100 lbs. from cutting area to field loading area and lift onto mechanical tree bailer to be bailed. Trees weighting 100 lbs. will be moved in teams of 2 or more. Will load trees onto field trucks or trailers for transport to a central staging area where trees will be unloaded, sorted, and grouped according to size, species and quality specifications as directed by the grower or supervisor. May drive trucks or tractors on an incidental basis, as is the norm in the industry, in and around the field or from the field to central loading areas. Workers will load Christmas trees into trucks/trailers for shipment to market according to supervisor’s instructions. Workers must exercise care not to break or damage limbs of trees when working around and handling trees. Work is physically challenging and will be performed in steep mountainous terrain in varying weather that includes, but is not limited to cold, rain, snow, and sleet.

Farm Equipment Operation: Workers may be required to operate tractors and other farm equipment during daily operations, as an incidental activity. Before any worker is required to operate any farm equipment, workers will be instructed in the safety and operation of the tractor before driving the tractor. Tractors should be driven in a manner to protect operator, other workers, products, trees, crops, and equipment. Repeated failure to obey safety requirements and operating instructions may result in termination.
Sanitation Requirements: For food and general personal safety purposes, all workers will be required and expected to follow common sanitary practices at all times. This is particularly critical when hand harvesting crops for human consumption. Employees are required to cleanse their hands by washing them thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom and before entering the fields for harvest activities. All workers must report all injuries and illnesses to their employer. As well any communicable disease such as but not limited to diarrhea, or any other infectious disease or illness. Workers shall report immediately any cuts or abrasions that cause open bleeding.

Special Requirements

Workers must have at least 3 months experience as a farmworker, or have completed 1 previous production season, on a Christmas tree farm. Applicants must be able to furnish affirmative job references from recent employers. Must be physically able to meet and perform all job specifications stated in job order, including lifting of 50 lbs. Must be able to work in the hot humid weather for extended periods of time. Workers are subject random drug testing post hire at no cost to the employee. Failing or refusing a drug test will result in immediate termination.