Tree Work

There has been some tree work done lately and trees are a sensitive subject so I want to communicate how that work is prioritized.

In the Golf Course Maintenance budget is annual tree work. When deciding what needs to be done the first 2 concerns are safety and health. Frequently large limbs fall off  our mature trees. Eucalyptus and ash are 2 of the dominant tree species found on the property, and they are weak wooded trees, both dropping limbs large enough to cause severe injure or death.

Ash tree with a large 2 inch crack that will fail in the near future

 After safety, health of the golf course and then the health of the tree are the next priorities. Shading of turf, and root intrusion into sensitive areas like greens and bunkers cause playability issues. Selective limbing to open up light and air corridors and root pruning make a very big difference in the turf health.

Heavy undergrowth resulting in poor turf growing conditions behind #18 green

Some recent work near the club entrance was done and it is a great example of an area that had been neglected to the detriment of the health of the trees. That area had not been maintained for a very long time and creating sunlight and air movement will result in increased health and beauty of those trees, and enhance the entry way to the Club and the back of the 18th green.

Behind #18 green after pruning and clearing brush

While I was drafting this piece a large portion of the oak tree in the first fairway broke while the fairway was being mowed in the morning  There was little that could have been done to prevent this. The tree is selectively pruned every year to limit the amount of weight on limbs that may fail. Upon inspection of the area that broke, there was a rot found in the interior of the limb that was hard to see and ultimately predict this failure. It is an example of why it is important to be proactive in looking for these problems and taking action when you find them to avoid injury.

Area of failure on the oak in the 1st fairway

Kevin