Skip to main content

Survey results in respect to tree care and rough maintenance

You can see the decaying Maple on the left and how it has effected the growth of the large Oak, the Maple was removed to allow the Oak to grow naturally.

This is one of the trees that we removed by #17 green in the fall. From the outside they looked healthy, but as you can see there was not much left of them. With a close inspection of suspect trees, signs of decay and damage are easier to assess. Therefore trees in this condition are removed.

Our tree management program here at HCC is one that will systematically prune, remove (the dead, dying and diseased) and provide care for the trees on our property. Our goal is to highlight the specimen trees and reduce the tree clutter of unwanted species that impede both play and growing conditions (for other trees and turfgrass). As most of our members have noticed over the winter we removed a number of small coniferous trees that were growing under other deciduous trees and negatively effecting their growth. In removing these trees we have not only reduced the cluttered look and given the native deciduous trees more room to grow, we have also opened up some nice views and vistas of the property. Member comments on tree care were mostly positive and focused on continuing the pruning and care of our trees. We are looking at planting some trees to replace some of the larger, older trees that are starting to decay, etc (an example of this would be the two large poplars between 3 & 4 fairway). The idea is that when we do remove the poplars there are already some trees ready to take over, although smaller we will plant some native deciduous trees that will flourish and become specimens in the future.


Our rough maintenance program is also one that accentuates the design and character of the golf course. Our goal is to have thick, healthy and consistent rough throughout the property. We fertilize our rough to help it grow and compete with weeds, traffic and compaction. In the two seasons that I have been here the rough has been very thick, due to wet and cool weather. Consistency is something that is very hard to accomplish in the rough. Trees, cart path endings and high traffic areas do create thin and unsightly areas at times. We do our best to limit these areas and help keep them healthy by aerating, extra fertilizer and utilizing ropes and stakes.
In the 2009 golf season we started mowing an intermediate rough cut around our fairways. This is a 1" height that is 7' wide. This cut frames the fairways nicely and provides a transition to the primary rough.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Practice Range Tee

Last fall we utilized a “new to us” method of revitilization for our practice tee. Our contractor TDS,  fraize mowed the surface of the tee to remove organic matter as well at to aid in leveling. The tee was then aerified and seeded to a new variety of creeping rye grass. We chose this type of turf grass as research  shows rapid recovery and a low growth habit. We were able to get some great growth in the fall, but the tee is still not ready for traffic and full use. The plan is to utilize the mats until growth has filled in some of the voids etc. We will then begin to slowly set up hitting areas on the grass tee. For a while we will alternate between grass and the mats with a 50/50 ratio of use. Once the grass tee is established and is in adequate recovery mode, the practice areas will be back to normal. As always our membership’s patience is appreciated as we try to improve these areas for use.
Post a Comment
Read more

Winter is here...

Happy New Year! The winter weather has certainly arrived with sub zero temperatures and snowfall  accumulating...We were very fortunate this fall with a balmy forecast, work continued right up to the Christmas break is steady fashion. Our most recent phase of drainage work was completed in due time. Dry and warm conditions made for clean and quick work. Areas of focus this fall were the rough, fairway and green on the 14th, some smaller rough areas on 11, 17 and the upper landing area of the 3rd fairway. Our tree management plan is in full swing with the removals of some dead Ash trees. An important part of our tree plan is to re-plant a more desirable species in these key areas. The trees have been tagged for delivery as soon as possible in the spring. Our winter greens preparation plan was completed in due time as well. We have performed all of our fall cultural practices and winter prep tasks to give our greens the optimal chance of winter survival. In addition to our ann...
Post a Comment
Read more

Golf Course & Grounds Department Update

During the winter months our department keeps busy with a number of tasks required to help ensure the upcoming golf season goes smoothly. Through the course of the winter myself, our Assistant Superintendent (Paul) and our Equipment Manager (Alan) attend a number of professional development opportunities to further our knowledge, techniques and practices. We are also required to submit all of our Chemical application and Fertility data to the Ministry of the Environment to conform to the Integrated Pest Management Council. Another substantial task is the complete refurbishment of our course accessories, benches and equipment. All of our course accessories are painted, cleaned or replaced to ensure a functional and aesthetically pleasing setting is presented for our membership. Every single piece of equipment is serviced, sharpened and gone over with a fine tooth comb for safety defects, etc. This winter has been far different than the previous two that we experienced. Fortunatel...
Post a Comment
Read more