Tree maintenance

As we head in to fall and then in to winter, maintenance of the turf grass slows, but maintenance overall does not. In a future installment, we will cover the extensive work done to maintain tee markers, signs, trash cans, and more items in the offseason. Fall and winter also provide time for maintenance of trees on the course. Pruning trees is an almost universally beneficial tactic to maintaining the balance between the trees and the turf grass. In the coming weeks you see will our staff out working on pruning all the trees on the course.

Trimming the trees and raising the canopy is most important. Lifting these branches will provide more air and light to the turf grass below. Increased light and air movement will improve the turf health underneath the trees. Turf that is deprived of quality light is very thin and wispy versus thick lush turf that receives adequate light. The turf cannot compete with the tree or with weeds and the result is ground that is either bare or weed infested. Similarly, when the tree is limiting the air movement below, the turf grass can suffocate. The turf is again very thin or non-existent which allows weeds to encroach.

Weeds beneath all of the trees are not aesthetically pleasing. Thin turf, weeds, or bare dirt is also not good for playability. Having a ball come to lie under tree is enough of a penalty, but then having to play it from a part-weed, part-dirt surface is then a double penalty. By trimming branches we can increase the chances of the turf grass to thrive. With quality turf under the tree, a bad shot is not compounded by having to play from a questionable lie.

We have many trees near our cart paths as well. Limbs that hang too low or stick out into the path are a safety concern. Cart drivers who are not paying attention may inadvertently drive their cart into a branch and injure themselves, their passenger, or damage the cart. Also, as trees age, branches can die for a variety of reasons. Regardless of the reason for decline, these branches pose a threat of breaking off and falling. While this is a concern for any dead or dying branch anywhere on the course, the branches that overhang cart paths pose a greater threat to the golfers because of the higher amount of traffic. So, making sure the clearance for carts is sufficient as well as safe is another purpose of tree maintenance.

Lastly, the health and structure of a mature tree can be improved and maintained through pruning. Removing dead or dying branches, or cleaning the tree, improves the aesthetics and structure of a tree. This is also a technique in improving the safety of the tree. Thinning a tree is the selective removal of branches throughout the tree canopy. This has several key benefits. Air and light better penetrate to the crown of the tree and help to improve its health. Excess weight can be removed from limbs and help to prevent breaking. Thinning also aids the tree in keeping its natural shape and structure. Raising the tree branches is another technique we will employ. This has a more indirect benefit to the tree. Keeping the tree branches up and away from carts and machines keeps the tree from being hit and branches broken and damaged.

While we are not currently equipped to climb and maintain the uppermost limbs on very large trees, we will be out doing what we can to maintain the balance between the turf and trees. By doing a little each year, the quality and appearance of the trees, surrounding turf, and experience for the golfers can all be addressed.

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org