Trees and Turf

Lately I've been reading more and more twitter comments and blog entries from Superintendents about cutting down trees on the golf course. They've been to referred to as giant weeds and basically a nuisance to any turf manager and golf course.

Shade issues causing damage to turf

Tree's compete for nutrients with the turf; they cover turf with shade, limiting photosynthesis and reducing turf health, as well as reducing air flow and creating a higher probability of turf disease. Trees make a mess in the fall, shedding leaves and debris everywhere, increasing labour costs. They can even block beautiful vistas and views! Yikes. While these are all true and valid reasons to remove a tree on a golf course, I can't help but think things are trending in the wrong direction.  Some people, golfers, superintendents and even architects may be forgetting how important trees can be to the integrity of a golf course.

Aerial View of Kamloops Golf Club

At Kamloops Golf and Country Club, our course is defined by its fairways lined by mature and beautiful trees. If we adopted the thinking that tree's are weeds, it would severely alter our course's playability and architecture. Sure there are a few trees I would like to see get into an accident with a chainsaw, that would definitely make my life easier. And what kind of Superintendent doesn't like to fire up the chainsaw and go cut some wood, "OUH-OUH-OOUH" (Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor Grunt), it's pretty much the most
"manly" thing one can do. But I think there are other solutions out there, ones that don't involve full tree removal

Arbourist removing standing dead tree

We have worked with the Board of Directors to get an annual Tree Maintenance budget, which I would love to see doubled, but of course... we just can't fit it all in. Each winter we work with an Arbourist to remove hazardous limbs and some trees that have basically
died. We also try to save some of that budget to reduce the tree canopies in areas that may be causing an issue with the turf. This type of arbourculture, known as "crown thinning," and will help light and air pass through the tree canopy to reach the turf; a compromise in the relationship between the turf and the trees.

A few years ago one of the the local courses here in the Kamloops area was ravaged by pine beetle and was forced to remove 1000's of trees. After the tree's were gone and the native grasses filled in, I think the course was changed for the better. A course a few hours up the road has removed some overgrown trees that blocked beautiful views of the adjacent river and mountains. In both these situations removing trees improved the course.

The 10th Fairway, mature trees

Some courses have installed large fans to increase air flow in heavily treed areas. However, these can be expensive to purchase and maintain. Many places with smaller budgets must remove trees. Each situation is different and I'm not suggesting to stop all tree removal, but to just think about the purpose of the tree and it's role on the golf course before deciding to cut it down. Maybe there are other options, maybe there are not and the tree has to go. The relationship between turf and trees is a difficult one, but the relationship between trees and the golf course is also important, lets try not to forget that.