Below the 13th green is the area we've been working on tirelessly to clean up. This is the same area that we were well on our way to finishing, but on a windy night three weeks ago, the large Oak tree in the area uprooted, taking out numerous rhododendron and three large, healthy hemlocks. That changed the scope of the project significantly. We spent three days removing the tree that fell. In that process, we did extensive damage to the bank and the grass around it that will take another few days to repair. We are also left with trying to improve the swamp below. After working in the mud for a day with an excavator, we were able to identify and dig out a channel of water flow. You can see in the photos, the channel, and the mud that was excavated and pushed to the side. The water is no longer backing up into the area. Unfortunately, there is no way to remove this sediment and mud. Therefore, the plan is to try to let the material dry out and if it does, we'll be able to shape it, rake it and ultimately grass it. We still have a long way to go on this project but it is nice to see a small amount of light at the end of the tunnel.
As plant life wakes up from winter, there are several things we need to keep an eye on it. Boxwoods, for example, seem to be affected by leaf miners (an insect that is common in spring time) more than usual this year. We've spent a good portion of the day treating our Boxwoods with an insecticide that cures leaf miners. If you see tiny flies around the shrubs this time of year, you are more than likely seeing the insect, Boxwood leaf miner.