My Twitter feed is full of pictures and videos of trees coming down. This is all over the country but mostly in cold climates since it is the off-season. This is not a coincidence. It is always interesting to me that we superintendents get labeled as tree haters. I can only speak for myself but I think most of my peers are of a similar mind. We love trees. Who doesn't have fond memories as a child climbing a tree and each year getting just a little bit higher? Who doesn't enjoy the shade of a big tree on a hot summer day? Who has not played in a giant pile of leaves in the fall? The issue is that our livelihood is to grow quality turfgrass and trees and grass are in direct competition. We all hate trees in bad places. Does anybody who has a pool love the tree that is too close and always dropping stuff into it? It adds to the cost of maintaining the pool. If you are the one cleaning it you know it adds a lot of time. The same goes for bunkers. Our 3rd and 4th greens had this issue. We filled in the one on 4 a couple of years ago and I do not miss having to clean it out all the time. This past week we made a dent in removing the trees over the bunker on 3. The area is a site to behold, in my opinion, and pictures do not do it justice. The approach to this green was choked so heavily by trees that once removed it is nothing short of dramatic. It has allowed some sunlight to reach the green but we still need a few more to come down to have any real impact in that department. I cannot wait to fill the stump holes and regrade the area.
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| 3 Before |
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| 3 After |
When I stood on the path and looked around taking in the entire area from a players perspective the first thought that came to me was I need to shrink this path. Before there was no shot to the green from this area so it did not make a difference. Now the right side is completely different and the path seems to be out in the playing area. It is weird how the perspective is so different with such a simple change. I say simple but if you put emotion into every tree decision it can be a monumental task to even remove one tree. As superintendents we have to temper that emotion and through experiences similar to this we know how much improvement can be gained by removing trees. As I said above we have not gained the needed the sunlight benefits and more need to come down but the goal of playability improvement has been accomplished.
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| 9th hole looking towards tee |
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| 9th hole towards green |
Not all trees require saws and chippers. The landowner project on nine a few years ago removed several pines on the hillside for their water view enhancement. It improved the playability immensely. Before, any shots left would rattle around in the trees and you had to punch out, usually sideways from behind pine trees. Now you can not only see the green but actually try to make a shot to it. We will save the discussion of the old 150 yard cedar in the picture for another day. Well, these invasive black pines are trying to colonize this grassy hillside once more. Brush cutting and some chemical sprays have not really slowed them down. It is a steep bank to spray or mow and I think you know my feelings about chemical use. Yesterday I looked at the area for the hundredth time trying to figure out what to do and decided to see if pulling them by hand would work. Not the easiest job but in a couple of hours I put a good dent. Next will be dealing with the little bluestem invasion. The last thing we need is thick clumps of bluestem on this hill so you cannot find or play your ball. Last year I tried spraying roundup on a few clumps and simply killing them. Risky since it might kill any other grass as well but other chemical attempts have not been very successful. Spot spraying uses a lot less chemical and is safer. The goal is to have a tall grass area where the ball may roll out on its own but if not, easily found and played. A holy grail perhaps but all tall rough areas are a challenge and balancing act for playability.
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