Having A Negative Impact

The absolute, hands down, most important aspect to maintaining excellent turfgrass conditions is directly related to morning sun. Without sufficient light, plants can not produce enough energy to stand up to stresses like high heat, traffic or even cold temperatures. Weak plants require more water, nutrients, care and all around more inputs. Due to this additional care, playability usually suffers.

Notice the first picture of the 11th green. This is from an app that can be used to track the sun's path any time of the day and any day of the year.

Let me explain what has been happening this spring on this green in particular. The bottom photo was taken from the site of an old willow tree. It was removed this winter due to many weak and unsafe areas of the tree, but more importantly, it was having a detrimental effect to the green.

The willow blocked all of the morning sun to a majority of the green. As the top photo illustrates, the left side of the green did not see the sun until close to 11am.

As a result, the turf has always been weaker than the right side of the green which is exposed to daylight almost all day long. It always required more care during high stress times of the year. In the high heat, it needed more irrigation. The roots in this area never had a fair chance at getting stronger, because it could not fully process sunlight. Since the roots are not strong, the area became soft from frequent watering or very firm from drier, stressed conditions. It has always been difficult to maintain a consistent surface.

Since the tree was removed the green has been seeing far more sunlight, but due to the roller coaster ride with temperatures this spring, growth has been slow. Development and improved health of the green will take some time as it is a gradual process. Plants have not had conditions to develop, instead as we have learned in this case, the plants were sensitive to even normal stress.

The weekend following aerification in early April, was warm and the left side of the green started to stress. This stress was normal for early April, but unlike the rest of the green, this turf was not strong enough to handle the additional sunlight. The turf lost density and thinned out. Short term efforts are being accomplished for long term success on this green and optimum conditions will return.

This is a perfect example of how a tree can have a negative impact to playing conditions on the golf course. There are plenty of locations on the property for great trees. They should not be planted near putting surfaces or high traffic areas.