Planting trees is an incredibly physically demanding job, which research has revealed requires as high a calorie intake to fight their way through a litter strewn, logged-over clearcut during a regular work day as that of an Olympic athlete.
Not only that, it's piece-work; you're only getting paid when a tree is going in the ground. So if you stop often for a snack or to chat about your weekend with the bud next to you, guess what? Your next cheque is going to be really disappointing!
In honour of this dynamic bunch, art aficionados Mark and Danielle of Union Street Grill and Grotto will hang the Grotto's next exhibit, The Artist in the Planter, beginning this month.
It will include a photo essay of a hippie tree planting co-op from the 1970s by Rick James, some incredible renderings by well-known local artist Tracy Kobus, as well as some intriguing images from the Steven (Gom) Allen Collection.
Also, the public will have the opportunity to meet many of the Million+ (trees in the ground) Club at a gala gathering of the Comox Valley's longtime treeplanting fraternity, for the exhibition's opening Jan. 9 starting at 6 p.m.
The Union Street Grill is at 477 Fifth St. in downtown Courtenay.
— Union Street Grill and Grotto