Tree huggers and tree planters are not the same

The World

Planting trees may sound all folksy and environmental, but in Canada, it is a grueling job done by hand. Logging companies hire seasonal crews who are paid by the tree planted. Planting 1,000 trees in a day barely translates into minimum wage. Canadian photographer and filmmaker Rita Leistner spent 20 seasons as a tree planter, an experience she says prepared her well for working in war zones. Marco Werman speaks to Leistner about her book and documentary: “Forest For The Trees.”

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