Winter Tree Work

A big focus for us this winter is the removal of unhealthy trees and trees that have an adverse effect on any valuable turf areas.

Grinding stumps



In order to keep our tree population as free from disease and pests as possible, it is important to remove any trees that show irreversible signs of decline. The removal of these trees eliminates host sites for pests and removes any disease pathogens from the course. This practice will become ever more valuable as we try to fend off the approaching Emerald Ash Borer.

Another important reason to manage the tree population is to provide ideal growing conditions for trees that we deem highly valuable . Its very common to have a number of large trees planted too close to each other. Many times it is important to thin out a few of these trees to provide space for the healthier trees to mature properly.

Here you can see the effects of trees planted too close. Neither of these trees will meet their full potential and one or the other will most likely have to be removed sooner than later.

Lastly, but probably most importantly, the removal of strategic trees can improve turf quality. Not only do tree roots steal valuable nutrients and moisture, but they also impede air flow and help create micro climates that are ripe for disease.

Personally, I love trees and their role on a golf course so it is important to me that we keep as many trees as we possible. It is also very important we continue to develop and implement good tree health programs so the trees we have can continue to thrive.

 

 

The guys have been working hard chipping what we have dropped over the last couple years.