Tree planting
The early success of the Hoedads mirrored a unique situation in both American society and in the forestry industry. Generations of clear cutting in the American West had left a huge unmet need for replanting. The U.S. Forest Service, and large landowners, solicited bids to replant trees on a contract basis. Thus work was readily available. The main barrier to entry was to organize a crew, and in many cases, to have land or assets available to pledge as collateral when bidding on a contract. Tree planting itself is hard work, however is not hard to learn and thus motivated crews could quickly be trained and put to work.