Many American courses had no trees in the beginning. But over time maintenance crews started planting trees. This trend took hold and crews planted more and more trees. Pretty soon the "parkland" concept took hold. Today, nearly one in every 10 courses has some leaf reference in their names, like Oak Tree or Shady Oak, thanks to the many trees on the course. Given the benefits of trees, none of these course would dream of cutting down trees arbitrarily.
But as trees grow and mature, they can become health hazards. They not only endanger the health of the course but also the wellbeing of course's golfers. On one course I know, a player taking a golf lesson barely escaped a diseased limb that fell. Problems like these are why some American courses are embarking on tree-removal programs.
A Non-negotiable Trade Off
Agronomy experts say there's a non-negotiable trade-off between turf and trees on courses. Turf needs sun to grow and air to thrive. If trees are blocking these things, the turf suffers. Trees overhanging greens and tees create the most problems because these areas get the most foot traffic.
Trees on the south and east side of greens are especially troublesome. They block the sun for more hours than any other. Trees growing too close together are also a problem. They get in each other's way, sapping nutrients from the soil.
Then there's the safety issue. While healthy trees provide a buffer between holes, old and diseased trees pose real dangers. Falling trees or limbs can severely injure golfers. Players can't trim their golf handicaps if they're in the hospital. And they can't take any golf lessons to improve their games. So they lose out on the pleasures of playing.
Pruning helps. Often, it's a good first step to bringing a green or a tee back to health. It also helps air circulation throughout the course. If you see electric fans on a course, it probably has a circulation problem. Unfortunately, selective pruning doesn't always get at the root of the problem. To do that, you often must cut down the tree or trees creating the problem.
Signs of Tree Problems
How can you tell if your course is overtreed? That's simple. Look down. The answer is in the dirt. The turf's health provides provide an important tipoff to a potential problem. Trees are especially toxic to greens. Greens under too much shade are subject to a general thinning of the turf. In extreme cases, no turf at all results. With holes located in shady spots, traffic around the hole exacerbates the wear and tear. Eventually, the turf loses its density and weeds invade.
Tees are also susceptible to tree damage. A tell tale sign is that only one portion of the tee is used-either because the shaded portion is in bad shape or the trees ahead eliminate the angle. Letting the light in either by pruning or cutting down the tree(s) gives the tee a good chance to recover.
Other signs that a tree or trees need to be removed:
* Exposed, above ground tree roots
* A general sense of claustrophobia
* Can't see the rough from the tree line
* Too many overhanging limbs
* The dreaded "double hazard"
A double hazard is where you have a tree or trees blocking your approach shot from a fairway bunker. Any of these signs means that a tree or trees must be removed-and not just for the sake of helping players' golf handicaps.
Trees are great. They're aesthetically pleasing. They're a natural part of the landscape. And they're engines of the air we breathe. On courses, they serve many practical purposes, strategically and aesthetically. But they can damage a golf course as they grow and age. While trees should be preserved at all possible costs, sometimes they must be removed to protect the turf, the course, and the golfers.
But as trees grow and mature, they can become health hazards. They not only endanger the health of the course but also the wellbeing of course's golfers. On one course I know, a player taking a golf lesson barely escaped a diseased limb that fell. Problems like these are why some American courses are embarking on tree-removal programs.
A Non-negotiable Trade Off
Agronomy experts say there's a non-negotiable trade-off between turf and trees on courses. Turf needs sun to grow and air to thrive. If trees are blocking these things, the turf suffers. Trees overhanging greens and tees create the most problems because these areas get the most foot traffic.
Trees on the south and east side of greens are especially troublesome. They block the sun for more hours than any other. Trees growing too close together are also a problem. They get in each other's way, sapping nutrients from the soil.
Then there's the safety issue. While healthy trees provide a buffer between holes, old and diseased trees pose real dangers. Falling trees or limbs can severely injure golfers. Players can't trim their golf handicaps if they're in the hospital. And they can't take any golf lessons to improve their games. So they lose out on the pleasures of playing.
Pruning helps. Often, it's a good first step to bringing a green or a tee back to health. It also helps air circulation throughout the course. If you see electric fans on a course, it probably has a circulation problem. Unfortunately, selective pruning doesn't always get at the root of the problem. To do that, you often must cut down the tree or trees creating the problem.
Signs of Tree Problems
How can you tell if your course is overtreed? That's simple. Look down. The answer is in the dirt. The turf's health provides provide an important tipoff to a potential problem. Trees are especially toxic to greens. Greens under too much shade are subject to a general thinning of the turf. In extreme cases, no turf at all results. With holes located in shady spots, traffic around the hole exacerbates the wear and tear. Eventually, the turf loses its density and weeds invade.
Tees are also susceptible to tree damage. A tell tale sign is that only one portion of the tee is used-either because the shaded portion is in bad shape or the trees ahead eliminate the angle. Letting the light in either by pruning or cutting down the tree(s) gives the tee a good chance to recover.
Other signs that a tree or trees need to be removed:
* Exposed, above ground tree roots
* A general sense of claustrophobia
* Can't see the rough from the tree line
* Too many overhanging limbs
* The dreaded "double hazard"
A double hazard is where you have a tree or trees blocking your approach shot from a fairway bunker. Any of these signs means that a tree or trees must be removed-and not just for the sake of helping players' golf handicaps.
Trees are great. They're aesthetically pleasing. They're a natural part of the landscape. And they're engines of the air we breathe. On courses, they serve many practical purposes, strategically and aesthetically. But they can damage a golf course as they grow and age. While trees should be preserved at all possible costs, sometimes they must be removed to protect the turf, the course, and the golfers.
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