Why Are They Cutting Trees?

“Why are we cutting so many trees?” There have been a few members ask that question recently. The answer is that every tree that has been cut down has been taken out for a specific reason. No trees are removed without committee discussion and agreement. Here is a list of trees that have been removed in the past year or so, and why they were removed.

Hole #2 – two trees on right side near cart path were removed for safety reasons. High winds in 2008 had caused them to separate at their base and they were leaning to a degree where there were concerns about them falling.

Hole #3 – large tree in front of green. This one was severely damaged by the 2008 winds to a point where there was nothing left but the trunk.  New pin oaks have been planted nearby.

Hole #4 – large tree near gold tees was removed because it was extremely hollow and a danger for collapse. We didn’t realize just how hollow and dangerous it was until it was cut down.  Check out this blog entry:  http://lakevalleygolf.blogspot.com/2011/04/tree-safety.html

Hole #4 – large tree left rear of green was removed for turf benefits. The canopy of this tree shaded the area between the cart path and the green, and it’s root system competed vigorously for water and nutrients. This combination of competition for food and water, plus a lack of sunlight made it difficult to grow turf in this area.

Hole #12 – about 6 trees were removed from the left side of the fairway, primarily to allow sunlight to reach the turf. Because of the heavy tree canopy, the turf in that area was only receiving a few (maybe 3) hours of direct sunlight per day, which is not enough for healthy turf to grow. As a result, rain runoff washed out the area, making a bad situation worse. By reducing the canopy we are providing more sunlight to the area which should promote turf growth. Opening the area also greatly improves playablility of the hole.

Hole #14 – midsized tree in right rough was removed. It was dead.

Hole #18 – midsized pine tree ~100 yards from green was removed. It was dead.

The August 2004 newsletter reported that about 198 new trees had been planted on the course since 1980. We have planted several more trees since 2004. The bottom line is that yes, trees have been removed and more will be removed, but not without appropriate discussion and consideration before a decision is reached. We are also constantly reevaluating areas that would benefit from the addition of trees and usually plant several trees per year.

 In case you haven't noticed it yet, there is a newly dead tree on #1 where the cart path runs through the first cluster of trees.  It is an elm and appears to have been taken by Dutch Elm disease and will eventually be removed.   There is also a large elm by the tee on #4 that is still green, but is showing effects of Dutch Elm and may have to be taken eventually.

This elm on #1 has succumbed to Dutch Elm Disease and will have to be removed.