Every year, the tree work that occurs on the golf course can be overwhelming for some, understandably so. However, there are many reasons for ongoing tree maintenance, that includes cutting limbs, removal and planting. None of this work is done arbitrarily. In fact, we work with a golf course architect to be sure we are removing the correct trees and not any that would take away from the golf course.
First, let me cover the hot topic of tree removal and the reasons why we selectively remove trees from the golf course.
1. They are dead or in a steady state of decline: This is often the case with white pines. I once heard an arborist say that he never counted more than 105 rings on a white pine in this area. Most of the pines on the golf course are in the 75-90 year old range. This means in the next 10-20 years, many of these trees will complete their life cycle. We've planted a number of understory trees over the past 15 years so when the pines do come down, a sizable tree is already in it's place.
This tree, removed on the right of #1 posed a safety issue to golfers, staff and a residence.
2. Heavy leaning trees or those in decline pose a safety risk: The last thing any of us would want is for someone to get hurt or their property damaged. When a member points out something they consider a hazard, I take that very seriously. Once a safety concern is brought to my attention, I feel I am obligated to either act on it or study the tree by consulting an arborist. Trees give many signs of their state of well being that allow experts to determine what's happening inside.
3. Most obviously, trees grow: Trees that were planted 25 years ago take up more space each year. Many times, these trees were arbitrarily planted and no longer fit the space. Their limbs create more shade and encroach on the golf course, affecting playability. Their unintended consequences are many. In addition, at Highlands CC, there are times we intentionally over-plant an area to create an instant screen or safety buffer, knowing we will need to come back in and thin it out 5-10 years down the road. The limbs from each tree grow into one another, creating a cluttered look. Furthermore, trees are competing for the same water and nutrients in the soil. When multiple trees are growing in a given area, none of the trees reach their potential. It's best to select the best specimen of the bunch and remove those that surround it, which will allow that tree to become a majestic specimen. On the edges of the holes, trees and shrubs encroach into the rough, making the hole play narrower and narrower every year. Rhododendron can grow 12-18" a year. This means in 10 years, we lost 10-15' of grass on each side of the hole, making it play 20-30' narrower! Each year it is necessary to trim back areas that are taking away golf course.
4. Grass can't compete with trees: That's just a fact of life. At Highlands CC, golf is the priority with the expectation of excellent turf quality. If turf isn't receiving at least 6 hours of sun a day, it can't reach that expectation. Grass is like any other plant where the photosynthesis reaction produces food. In order for photosynthesis to occur, water and light are required. With reduced sunlight, the plant will starve. In areas where shade is prevalent, the turf becomes yellow, elongated and thin. Ultimately, it will succumb to the traffic and stress put on it. Tress can never be put ahead of grass in regards to priority on a golf course. It is a balance of sorts, but if turf is declining because of trees, the grass should always take priority. Shaded turf is expensive to maintain as well, requiring far more pesticides compared to turf growing in full sun. Weakened turf is prone to more disease and insect damage.
5. Tree pruning and limbing is done for a number of reasons: For one, it makes the tree look more grand and majestic. Taking off the lower limbs and dead limbs allows the tree to dedicate its nutrient to a select few limbs. Every tree has a set amount of nutrients inside it. Rather than supply these to 60 branches, it can supply them more efficiently to 40 branches, for example. Tree limbing is good to create additional air movement but normally does little to allow sun penetration. It's never an alternative to removing a tree that suffers from lack of light unless there is a specific branch causing the problem. Well pruned trees are the one of the details that make for a well kept and attractive golf course.
6. Tree planting is also an ongoing process: Most years, we plant just as many (or more) trees than we remove. However, we plant them in smarter locations accounting for their size, 10-20 years down the road. On #10 for example, we are removing many "volunteer" trees on the left that are affecting the playability of the hole. However, we are going to plant about 10-15 hemlocks and Norway spruce in areas to seal it back off. There are times it is necessary to remove a larger tree in order to plant something more appropriate that will serve the Club better in the long term.
Every year, tree work can easily get members upset for reasons I appreciate. We all love the environment in this area and trees are a component of that. But, we must not forget on a golf course, that golf is the task at hand. Over time, the golf course has evolved and plays different than Donald Ross ever intended, mostly due to trees getting larger and poor planting locations. As the Superintendent, I work closely with the Green Committee to ensure the design is protected. If we simply ignored tree work, a controversial subject, I would be neglecting a huge component of my job. It would catch up with the Club too, creating a situation where we would have to deal with a lot at one time. This could exceed a million dollars or more! It's in our best interest to chip away at it year by year.
Finally, we are in a unique situation at Highlands CC. The fact the golf course is closed December-March, allows us to accomplish much of this work while members are away. We work with a local tree outfit who takes the trees down. My staff chips the limbs and debris in order to save some money and allow us to get more done with the same money. When the ground freezes, we can get a bigger truck out there to get the logs. This means some debris and logs might lay for a period of time, allowing members who visit in the winter to see exactly what was done. In a perfect world, we would own all the equipment to do this ourselves and have adequate staff to make it all happen. We could cut the tree, chip the limbs, haul off the logs, grind the stump and sod over it. However, this isn't really feasible. I am trying to make more of an effort to prevent debris from laying on the ground for too long. However, I don't want to take equipment on the course when the ground is soft. We've looked at it from an economical and efficiency perspective. Logs on the ground can certainly fuel emotions. Please know that if you ever want to look at specific trees or know why a specific tree was removed, I'll be more than happy to tour the course with you and visit each tree of concern. It's important to have all the facts! This is a subject that is never taken lightly but one the is critical in a successful golf course maintenance plan.