Selective Tree Removal

     Over the past few weeks you may have noticed the ongoing tree removal program across the plantation. In general, our goal is to increase the amount of sunlight and air movement in and around the green's complexes. The Reserve Club's Assistant Superintendent Michael Gore recently wrote an excellent article detailing the effects of sunlight in the turfgrass environment. That article can be found here.

     Rather than regurgitate information about the science behind why grass needs light, I would like to explain the tree removal selection process in greater detail, particularly at the Players Club.

     Our selection process starts by locating the path of the sun. As stated in the above linked article, turfgrass needs eight hours of sunlight per day to perform optimally. Our areas of concern are the summer morning sunlight and winter sunlight between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. To assist our efforts in locating the exact trees for removal we use an Android application called Sun Surveyor. This app helps us to pinpoint the suns exact location on any day at anytime of the year. This application can be downloaded free here.

Photo A

     Lets look at number one at the Players Club as an example. Here is a morning photo (Photo A) of the greens complex prior to tree removal. You can clearly see how the sun is blocked out by the tree canopy at the right rear of the green. This photo was taken on December 19th at 9:00 a.m. The green is completely shaded out. The sunlight at this time of the year is extremely important for moderate photosynthesis and keeping soil temperatures above freezing. This sunlight is especially imperative for spring greenup of bermudagrass or bentgrass. 

Photo B

 At left you see number one green in the mid-afternoon, 2:19 p.m. (Photo B). The entire right side of the green is shaded out. Again, this winter sunlight is vital to the turf environment. Coupled with increased photosynthesis and soil temperatures, the duration of sunlight also helps to dry the turf surface. Thus, reducing the chance of disease outbreak in the spring.

     Based on the photos above and witnessing the environment first hand, number one green receives approximately three hours of full, unfiltered sunlight per day in the winter. These conditions make it extremely difficult to manage turfgrass effectively. Decreased rooting, increased soil moisture and poor wear tolerance are just a few of the negative effects of limited sunlight.

     Once we determine the path of the sun and the obstructions blocking it, we then turn to separating the trees into three categories. Trees that must go, trees that partially shade, and specimen/aesthetic trees that must stay.

     The first group of trees is a no questions asked, have to be removed group. Our focus on these trees then shifts to aesthetic and ownership concerns. In the case of number one at the Players we contacted the POA to receive permissions on the roadside trees. We then proceed to the rear of the green. We located our property line, contacted the adjoining property owner, discussed our intentions and were granted permissions to remove all trees necessary.

     The second and third groups of trees go hand in hand.  Lets look at number 12 as an example.

Photo C

     The above photo was taken post-removal on January 16th of this year. You can clearly see that we removed 70% of the trees to the right of the green. To the right rear is where the sun rises in the summer. To the mid-right is where the sun rises and travels nearly horizontally in all other three seasons.

     The picture above also shows that two groups of trees were left behind. These trees fell into groups two and three. The three trees on the left of Photo C partially shaded the green for parts of the year. However, these trees contained squirrel nests, therefore we decided that the benefit of removal did not outweigh the negative impact that would ensue.

     On the right side of Photo C there are a group of six to seven trees that were not removed. theses trees shade the green for approximately one hour in the mid-morning through the spring and fall. These trees fall into category three, architecturally integral trees. These trees play an intricate role in the shape and therefore the play of the hole. The look from the green/white tee box showed us how important these trees were to the character of the 12th hole that it outweighed the benefit of added sunlight.

     This, in a nutshell, is how we select the trees for removal. It is in no way rocket science, but we do take caution in the operation. The environment, aesthetics, and architecture all play an integral role in our selection process. Although our number one goal is to improve the greens surface, we do consider the negative effects of our work. Throughout the remainder of the process we will continue to use this method of tree selection. We are also planning a tree inventory program slated to begin next fall at the Players Club and throughout the plantation.