Nominated by: Gerard Cadger

Date Added : Sept 2008

He gave some hella good tips last season, proves he’s into the business with no selfish desires. Thanks Kenny, You’re the man!

World-Record Planting Frenzy

January 21, 2003

Source: Daily Herald

Saskatoon man plants 15,000 plus trees. Not only did Ken Chaplin unofficially break the world record, he buried it and left it in his dust.

The 31-year-old Saskatoon-based tree planter set an unofficial world record for the most trees planted in one day by one person.

For 19 hours Saturday at Lily Plain on Greg Road approximately 20 kilometres west of Prince Albert, Chaplin took up the challenge of planting an average one tree every 4.5 seconds, or 798.4 trees per hour.

His incredible mark of 15,170 planted trees smashed the last record of 12,380 set by his twin brother Curt. Prior to that, a Prince Albert planter had held the record at 10,500.

Most planters plant between 1,200 to 2,000 trees per day in a 10 hour period. That itself is a wearing experience on the body, Chaplin added. Chaplin was the first to cross the 10,000 mark when he broke the world record five years ago.

In order to institute his record into the Guinness Book of World Records, Chaplin had to have two independent people completely removed from the situation to witness the event.

His girlfriend and father stayed with him all day to help with the process. They made sure he had boxes at the end of each row so that when he landed he could bag up and keep the flow going.

The world record attempt has been three years in the making, said Chaplin. Two years ago when he tried, he had tendonitis so bad in his wrist he could not move his arm. Last year the ground wouldn’t cooperate. But on Saturday, the conditions and setting were right for Chaplin to reach his 15,000-plus tree accomplishment.

“The terrain was like a table top, planting on a billiard table. I didn’t fall down, I didn’t trip,” he said.

However, in contrast to the perfect conditions, Chaplin paid the price for his back-breaking effort. By the end of the day tendonitis flared in both arms and hands. One of his fingers didn’t work too well either, he said. “I’m not paralysed but it’s not bending that well. One toe has a blister the size of a quarter on it as well,” he added. “I probably ate a bottle of Ibuprofen (Sunday).”

As reward for accomplishing the new standard, Chaplin received a contract payment of $910 for his days work – six cents per tree.

He also considered it his official retirement from tree planting when the light finally faded away Saturday. “I’ve done it for 15 years now during the summers, and this was my final goal. I just put the bags away and definitely decided this will be it,” he chuckled.

Chaplin is confident in his decision, saying that it would take “the planets to align” to recreate the ideal situation he experienced over the weekend.

Chaplin leaves Wednesday for Los Angeles where he works on the CBS television series Judging Amy as a key set production assistant.

World Champion Tree Planter Tells His Story

August 20, 2002

I write this to those planters interested in a very very small piece of tree-planting history.

I began planting in 1986 in Likely, BC. I continued planting throughout the 1990’s, and have completed my 15th year this past June. I have planted for more than six different companies, in three provinces, and am very near the 2 million tree mark.

In 1996, I set the current direct/straight plant record at 10,200 trees. This record still stands. The record for prepared ground was originally set in late 1996 by Mike Nun of Prince Albert, SK. He planted 10,500 in one day. This record lasted until the spring of 1998, when Curt Chaplin, my twin brother, planted in ‘Griz’ plow near Holbein, Sk., 12,380 trees. This record held until June of 2001.

I started my day at 3:45 am. I had Madge prep, sandy soil, and sunny mild weather. I cached up my area the night before with 95 boxes, each containing 170 PRT Red Pine seedlings. I had two planting bags, four shovels, three pairs of boots, and light containers of food. I calculated how many trees per hour I needed to plant in order to hit 15,000+ before night fall at 10:30 pm. Excluding the down time for bagging up, watering, and eating, I planted an average of 980 trees an hour.

I had been in touch with the Guinness World Record Company in London, England in February of 2001. In other words, I had all of their rules, and restrictions satisfied. The event was captured by CTV national news, and aired on the 11pm news June 30th. Two local newspapers covered the story. Ten witnesses signed a form and statement recognizing the legitimacy of the event.

My good good friend and fellow veteran planter, Mike Nun, pursued his personal best that day. By the time the sun went down, Mike put 13,600 seedlings into the ground. I squeaked by @ 15,170 seedlings.

In all our years, Mike, Curt and I have always been high quality, high number planters. I know of many upstanding planters for whom this goal is not implausible. Setting the record is never an impossibility, or a pipe dream; just an issue of the right place, right time, and right circumstances. Anyone with the right technique, stamina, and (most importantly) character can pursue it. I believe 16,500 is possible. And it will happen under the right eyes someday.

I still find it difficult not to return for a week here or there during the summer months. And it isn’t for the money. I have a ‘real job’ here in Los Angeles, Ca.

To those people I’ve heard saying, ‘Get a life’,…I can only hope someday they’ll find and understand what it’s like to truly love something. When you do honestly care, be it your work, somebody, something,…why let it go completely?

I am not ashamed, and never will be to say that I am and will continue to be a tree-planter.

Ken Chaplin

Straight Plant Record: 10,200 trees

Prepared Ground Record: 15,170 trees

Just to add to Kenny’s nomination, he also likely holds the record for planting mounds at 8200. His total life time number has exceeded 2,200,000. He is presently involved in the filming of the Tommy Douglas story in Regina. His position is Casting Director. Once the filming is over I’m sure for a break this summer he’ll have to get back out to plant a few more.

Nominated by: Cassie and Tyler

Kenny planted the most direct and prepared land in a single day (2 separate records). Not only is he the most determined planter yet, but also very down to earth.

Nominated by: Jocelyn Campbell

Date Added : August 2006

Just in response to Hugh Gilmour’s letter criticizing Ken Chaplin’s feat. Just so Hugh gets the facts correct, yes Ken did have family there, but no he did not have anyone bag his trees. It is too bad that Hugh has to try and take away from what Ken accomplished. Oh and I know Mike, a great planter, and I guarantee you that Mike would love to have that record. Come on Hugh get the facts correct! It wouldn’t be a record if someone bags you up.

Nominated by: Jeff Finley

Date Updated : October 2006

Kenny’s got the record fair and square. Anybody who says different can argue with Guiness. He’s a hell of a planter and a good guy to boot. The few times I had the chance to work with Kenny were great. He was as hard working of a planter doing his “cameo” appearances as any career planter ever was. Not many guys stay until dark to get their personally set quota when the money doesn’t matter, but the personal victory does. Sorry Kenny I would have put you in front of Nunner but that bottle never made it…lol.

Nominated by: Hugh Gilmour

Date Updated : November 2006

Easy now Jocelyn, There is no possible way that I can take anything away from Kenny’s achievement, Ken is the champ, the record holder and all of this is well deserved too. Ken is also one of the nicest guys you could ever hope to meet. It was a pleasure to have Ken back at Smokey lake this year where he put his skills to use training our rookies in the most professional way. Thanks Ken!