The tree removal process is a very important step to the 2015 plan. There are five reasons to remove a tree on the property. The 2015 removals only affect 5% of the total population.
1. Safety & Risk
2. Impacts to Greens
3. Impacts to Other Turf (Fairways, Tees, etc)
4. Poor Health & Irreversible Conditions
5. Air, Playability & Vistas
Safety & Risk: All trees have an element of risk, but when trees are large and older, they can become dangerous. A controlled take down is far more in favor for the club than to wait for a problem to arise. Pictured on the left here is an Austrian Pine that was obviously here before the wall was installed a few years back.
This tree has shown signs of stress and is a threat to the integrity of the wall. We have also seen some issues with the wall over the last couple of years and we do not want to cause any further problems with root systems or large branches.
Other trees that would fall into this category are older Cottonwood trees. As these trees can easily reach 100 years old, they are not always the picture of health unless properly cared for for much of it's life.
Impact to Greens: Without question this is critical step to a tree management program for a golf course. For agronomic purposes trees can really disrupt proper management on greens. Root systems compete for water and nutrients.
I have mentioned before in this blog about the importance of morning sun for putting greens. There is a lot research out there on the negative effects of shade on a putting green.
Trees that cast shade on a green slow down the process of photosynthesis. Plants then have a lower tolerance to stress, both in the winter and summer. Summer stresses are heat, drought and disease. All of these take more inputs such as water, fertilizer, labor and pesticides. They all affect playability, especially when compared to a green with a lot of morning sun. Winter stresses are also affected by trees. When snow falls and ice develops on a green, trees block sunshine and slows or prevents melting to occur. Ice on a green can be a tremendous problem and lead to the death of turf.
Impacts to Other Turf: One myth to tree planting is to help direct traffic on a golf course. As you can see in this photo, this tree was planted at the end of a cart path. However, the issue is now there is less room to drive a golf cart which leads to higher stress to specific areas of turf.
This is a beautiful tree which was clearly planted in the wrong location. The future development of this tree is at risk due to the high amount of traffic to the root zone on the cart path side of this tree.
It is imperative that when trees are planted that foresight is given to that location and how it may affect the entire area. When trees are planted to close to one another or close to other objects, they can become problems in the future. Trees also get competitive when planted too close. The fight for the same sunlight too. You may notice trees growing at angles away from buildings or nearby trees just so they can gain more sunlight.
Poor Health & Irreversible Problems: This is one of the more important reasons to have a well prepared Tree Plan. These issues keep us on our toes with diseases, insects or whatever else Mother Nature throws at us. There are numerous insects that can have a major impact to trees. The "hot" topic now in Colorado is the Emerald Ash Borer. We are currently in the process of working on a plan for when this insect does arrive in the Denver area.
Drought and winter damage is another hot topic for trees around this area. Most of our trees are not native to the golf course, so sometimes they can't face all that is thrown their way. When trees get older, they struggle adapting to change. This is why we plant smaller and younger trees as they can adapt to change more readily.
The Tree Management Guide also provides a road map for proper tree care. Pruning the canopy is important to keep the tree from carrying too much dead wood or stray branches that become issues down the road.
We also pay close attention to the root zones of trees, proper fertilizer or mycorrhizae applications and even pesticide applications to prevent invasive insects or diseases.
Air, Playability & Vistas: This category has a great impact to a golf course.
Air movement and circulation is highly important for proper turgrass health. Stagnant air and shade leads to higher disease potential and tougher playing conditions.
Playability can also be affected by crowding trees and over-growth. For example, this Ash tree on 8 tee crowds the tee and affects a well played shot.
Pinehurst and its potential for vistas is incredible. This a beautiful property, the rolling hills of the club along with great views in all directions makes this one of the premier golf locations in the state.
Tree screens should be reserved for the property lines and blocking undesirable views. Within the property we benefit from many beautiful landscapes.
The removals from this winter, relieve some of the tired look of this almost-60 year old golf course. Areas of the golf course will have a new, fresh and exciting look for years to come.
Next week's blog will focus on pruning and on-going tree maintenance to care for our beautiful tree inventory.
1. Safety & Risk
2. Impacts to Greens
3. Impacts to Other Turf (Fairways, Tees, etc)
4. Poor Health & Irreversible Conditions
5. Air, Playability & Vistas
Safety & Risk: All trees have an element of risk, but when trees are large and older, they can become dangerous. A controlled take down is far more in favor for the club than to wait for a problem to arise. Pictured on the left here is an Austrian Pine that was obviously here before the wall was installed a few years back.This tree has shown signs of stress and is a threat to the integrity of the wall. We have also seen some issues with the wall over the last couple of years and we do not want to cause any further problems with root systems or large branches.
Other trees that would fall into this category are older Cottonwood trees. As these trees can easily reach 100 years old, they are not always the picture of health unless properly cared for for much of it's life.
I have mentioned before in this blog about the importance of morning sun for putting greens. There is a lot research out there on the negative effects of shade on a putting green.
Trees that cast shade on a green slow down the process of photosynthesis. Plants then have a lower tolerance to stress, both in the winter and summer. Summer stresses are heat, drought and disease. All of these take more inputs such as water, fertilizer, labor and pesticides. They all affect playability, especially when compared to a green with a lot of morning sun. Winter stresses are also affected by trees. When snow falls and ice develops on a green, trees block sunshine and slows or prevents melting to occur. Ice on a green can be a tremendous problem and lead to the death of turf.
Impacts to Other Turf: One myth to tree planting is to help direct traffic on a golf course. As you can see in this photo, this tree was planted at the end of a cart path. However, the issue is now there is less room to drive a golf cart which leads to higher stress to specific areas of turf.This is a beautiful tree which was clearly planted in the wrong location. The future development of this tree is at risk due to the high amount of traffic to the root zone on the cart path side of this tree.
It is imperative that when trees are planted that foresight is given to that location and how it may affect the entire area. When trees are planted to close to one another or close to other objects, they can become problems in the future. Trees also get competitive when planted too close. The fight for the same sunlight too. You may notice trees growing at angles away from buildings or nearby trees just so they can gain more sunlight.
Drought and winter damage is another hot topic for trees around this area. Most of our trees are not native to the golf course, so sometimes they can't face all that is thrown their way. When trees get older, they struggle adapting to change. This is why we plant smaller and younger trees as they can adapt to change more readily.
The Tree Management Guide also provides a road map for proper tree care. Pruning the canopy is important to keep the tree from carrying too much dead wood or stray branches that become issues down the road.
We also pay close attention to the root zones of trees, proper fertilizer or mycorrhizae applications and even pesticide applications to prevent invasive insects or diseases.
Air movement and circulation is highly important for proper turgrass health. Stagnant air and shade leads to higher disease potential and tougher playing conditions.
Playability can also be affected by crowding trees and over-growth. For example, this Ash tree on 8 tee crowds the tee and affects a well played shot.
Pinehurst and its potential for vistas is incredible. This a beautiful property, the rolling hills of the club along with great views in all directions makes this one of the premier golf locations in the state.
Tree screens should be reserved for the property lines and blocking undesirable views. Within the property we benefit from many beautiful landscapes.
The removals from this winter, relieve some of the tired look of this almost-60 year old golf course. Areas of the golf course will have a new, fresh and exciting look for years to come.
Next week's blog will focus on pruning and on-going tree maintenance to care for our beautiful tree inventory.
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