There is something to be said for removing trees in a playable area on the golf course. The costs of maintaining them alone (leaf debris, storm damage, pruning) or not maintaining them (poor health/structure, hazardous, unsightly, overgrown) can justify their removal. Golf course play-ability can come into play as well. Finally, trees can certainly impede on the Superintendent's ability to provide the playing conditions that memberships demand and deserve via shade and competitive root zones.
Given those reasons for removal, however, there are enormous benefits to maintaining a healthy tree canopy within the playable golf course area that is manageable and sustainable by the club. Trees provide shade, storm water retention, oxygen, sound buffer, and color to name a few. On golf courses specifically, specimen trees can often times be iconic (like the Eisenhower Tree), strategic in depth perception or shot shaping, or just simply part of the character of the golf course. If you look at golf course photography, often times trees are purposely fit within the frame, or even used to frame a picture because they are a natural augmentation of an already fantastic landscape like a golf course hole...golfers also subconsciously see this as they make their way around the course. Part of the attraction of golf (especially when you play the same course day in and day out) is the beauty of the setting you're playing in.
To achieve the proper balance, trees should be the right species, of the right size, and the right place on the golf course...and like the fine turf that surrounds them, they require proper attention in the form of fertilization, pruning, and pest management as necessary. Tree canopies within the playable golf course area can be inventoried, cared for and properly managed. To achieve this, golf course Superintendents can employ the knowledge of a Certified Arborist who can work with the Superintendent to achieve the both golf course play-ability/conditioning, and a healthy tree canopy that enhances the asset and experience belonging to the Club and its Members.
There is something to be said for removing trees in a playable area on the golf course. The costs of maintaining them alone (leaf debris, storm damage, pruning) or not maintaining them (poor health/structure, hazardous, unsightly, overgrown) can justify their removal. Golf course play-ability can come into play as well. Finally, trees can certainly impede on the Superintendent's ability to provide the playing conditions that memberships demand and deserve via shade and competitive root zones.
ReplyDeleteGiven those reasons for removal, however, there are enormous benefits to maintaining a healthy tree canopy within the playable golf course area that is manageable and sustainable by the club. Trees provide shade, storm water retention, oxygen, sound buffer, and color to name a few. On golf courses specifically, specimen trees can often times be iconic (like the Eisenhower Tree), strategic in depth perception or shot shaping, or just simply part of the character of the golf course. If you look at golf course photography, often times trees are purposely fit within the frame, or even used to frame a picture because they are a natural augmentation of an already fantastic landscape like a golf course hole...golfers also subconsciously see this as they make their way around the course. Part of the attraction of golf (especially when you play the same course day in and day out) is the beauty of the setting you're playing in.
To achieve the proper balance, trees should be the right species, of the right size, and the right place on the golf course...and like the fine turf that surrounds them, they require proper attention in the form of fertilization, pruning, and pest management as necessary. Tree canopies within the playable golf course area can be inventoried, cared for and properly managed. To achieve this, golf course Superintendents can employ the knowledge of a Certified Arborist who can work with the Superintendent to achieve the both golf course play-ability/conditioning, and a healthy tree canopy that enhances the asset and experience belonging to the Club and its Members.
-Steve Jones
Davey Tree Expert Company