Most courses in the Northeast have trees on the property – either lining fairways, around greens and tees, or planted near the clubhouse. Clearly, it is possible for trees and grass to coexist, but it is better for the health of both to strike the right balance by having a thoughtful tree management plan in place.
Anyone can see how dense groves of trees on either side of a fairway outcompete grass for sunlight, water and nutrients. A commonality I see on courses this fall is the same as last fall, and that is for non-irrigated or poorly irrigated rough to be dormant or dead. Non-irrigated rough will struggle in a dry year regardless, but its decline is certainly exacerbated by trees.
To maintain healthy rough, and quality golf course grass in general, selective tree management is essential. Removing unnecessary, unhealthy and/or undesirable trees from a stand and leaving the largest, healthiest and most attractive trees will reduce competition with the grass and allow the remaining trees to grow properly. The result is healthier grass and a more attractive stand of trees that becomes a feature of a course rather than a hindrance.
Fall is here and winter is approaching. Now is the time to evaluate trees and determine which ones you need and which are expendable. Take a hard look at what trees have done to your turf over the last couple of years. If this weather is the new normal, are all those trees worth the problems they cause? My guess is you will conclude that sacrificing grass health in favor of extra trees is not in the course’s best interests. Now is the time to remind decision-makers about the impacts and build support for selective tree management.
Northeast Region Agronomists:
Darin Bevard, senior director, Championship Agronomy – dbevard@usga.org
Elliott L. Dowling, regional director, East Region – edowling@usga.org
Brian Gietka, agronomist – bgietka@usga.org
Information on the USGA’s Course Consulting Service
Contact the Green Section Staff