New trees

Although trees have been lost over the years due to several factors, we have been consciously replanting as well. Our tree program allows us to prioritize important replanting locations and to replace trees with species well suited to those locations. Last week we made a small contribution to the tree inventory at Bretton Woods.

Prioritizing planting locations keeps everything organized. Many people want trees or don’t want trees in certain locations. By following a decided upon program and established priorities, the many opinions can be narrowed down to one concrete plan. This year, our planting plan was very modest compared to year’s past. We only planted two new trees. We decided we needed to catch up on tree maintenance and removal, which limited the money available for new planting. Although we haven’t been able to proceed with much of our maintenance because of soft ground, the plan is still in place

In coordination with our tree supplier we planted a Red and Sugar maple. The Red maple is a large tree, planted to the right of #15 fairway, across from the large maple that was planted last year. These two trees will form the edges that will guide the narrowing of the fairway near the 250-yard mark. This tree was planted in preparation for the removal of the dead silver maple nearby. We also moved the Bermuda grass- rough edge in closer to the center of the fairway. This accomplished two things: first, the new tree will not shade the Bermuda grass; and, second, the new rough edge will accentuate the narrowing of the fairway at the point of these two new trees.

Adjusting new rough edge

Planting to the right of #15 fairway

Finished product #15 fairway

The Sugar maple was planted in the pool parking lot. Two dead oak trees were removed from the island in the parking lot and left a large gap. To ensure shade is still present in the parking lot, we planted the new tree to fill back in.

New tree at pool parking lot

Both trees were planned in consultation with an arborist and staked out on a site visit. We wanted to make sure that we plant a tree species in a place that it will do well. The tree program establishes the guidelines for executing this perfectly.

Even though we only planted two new trees this year, which is a drop in the bucket across our large property, we still improved Bretton Woods. Fewer trees, the correct species, and planted in the correct place, is always better than too many, planted haphazardly.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

When parking your cart at a tee or green, please keep all 4 tires on the path.

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Bunker etiquette

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org