Noam Osband, a Ph.D. candidate in anthropology, was on a quest to find the perfect topic for his dissertation. With a keen interest in immigration and a passion for filmmaking, he embarked on a journey to create a documentary that would not only explore the lives of migrant workers but also shed light on the complexities of the tree planting industry.
While spending time in the Ozarks, Osband befriended several back-to-the-land enthusiasts who introduced him to the world of Latino migrant tree planting crews. Fascinated by their stories, he decided to delve deeper into the lives of these workers, who travel across the rural United States, planting thousands of pine seedlings every day. “I’d never even heard of tree planting as a job,” Osband revealed, “but as I learned more, I became captivated by the intricate web of stories and struggles that these workers face.”
Osband’s documentary, “A Thousand Pines,” was screened on November 13 as part of Millersville University’s “On Screen | In Person” series. The film, co-created with Mexican filmmaker Sebastian Diaz, is a reworked version of Osband’s original three-hour dissertation submission to the University of Pennsylvania’s anthropology department. This innovative approach made Osband the first Penn student to submit a documentary as a dissertation.
“A Thousand Pines” is now available on PBS Online for PBS Passport customers, with more information and upcoming viewing options available on the film’s website. The documentary follows a crew of workers from Tlaxico, Mexico, as they journey across the United States, planting pine seedlings by the thousands. These workers, along with hundreds of other crews, plant approximately 1.5 billion trees annually to offset the massive wood products industry in America. The average worker is expected to plant a staggering 4,000 seedlings per day, six to seven days a week, for eight months at a time, earning a modest $500 to $600 per week.
While this may seem like a lucrative opportunity by Mexican standards, the grueling pace and low wages have taken a toll on the workers. The film highlights the stark contrast between the past and present, when tree planting was a popular seasonal job for young hippies in the 1970s. The work was less demanding, and piece rates were higher, allowing workers to earn a decent living and pursue their passions. However, as competition and consolidation increased, companies began to favor hiring Latino guest workers, who were willing to work longer hours for lower pay.
A local panel discussion, featuring Christina Perez, Maria DelCarpio, Carolyn Weaver, and Keith Williams, shed light on the complexities of the issue. Perez, an assistant professor of American Studies at Franklin & Marshall College, noted that the film raises important questions about complicity and the exploitation of migrant labor. DelCarpio, a recruiter for the Migrant Education Program at Millersville University, was moved to tears by the film’s poignant portrayal of the sacrifices migrant workers make for their families.
Weaver, a biology professor at Millersville University, and Williams, vice president of engagement and education at the Lancaster Conservancy, appreciated the film’s focus on the human component of industrial-scale agriculture. They highlighted the physical and emotional toll that this work takes on the workers and the devastating impact of monoculture tree farms on ecosystems and biodiversity. Recent research suggests that companies could adopt more sustainable practices by interplanting hardwood seedlings with fast-growing farmed trees, selectively cutting the latter to maintain ecosystems and biodiversity.
Osband’s experience filming alongside the crew was eye-opening, and he eventually found a role that worked for him – “El Aguador,” or water boy, bringing drinking water to the workers. He emphasized the need for reforms, such as modifying the H2B program to allow visa holders to switch employers, which would give workers more bargaining power and recourse against exploitation.
The emotional core of “A Thousand Pines” lies in the workers’ relationships with their families back home. The film captures heart-wrenching phone calls to wives and girlfriends, as well as interviews with children longing for their fathers’ return. Osband reflected on the unexpected direction the film took, saying, “I sometimes describe ‘A Thousand Pines’ as a love story. It’s about what people do and what they sacrifice for their families.”
