A Decision Tree for Tree Removal

Key Takeaways:

• Tree removal is often a necessary part of effective tree management on a golf course, but it can be a very emotional subject.
  
  
• Having objective criteria for evaluating trees makes discussions about removal more productive and less contentious.
  
  
• Safety is the most important consideration. If a high-risk tree is in an area that people visit, it should be prioritized for removal.
  
  
• Negative impacts on turf conditions, architectural intent and routine maintenance are also important factors for removal.
  
  
• When carefully planned, tree removal can enhance the health, environmental value and attractiveness of the overall tree population on a course by removing trees that are not a good fit.
   

A good way to maintain a healthy stand of trees is to focus on native species. There can be several reasons why it might seem like a good idea to plant ornamental or non-native species, but the facility often pays for these choices later when the trees need to be removed because they don’t grow well in your location. If you are looking to thin out areas of trees, I recommend starting with the non-native species because they have a greater risk of becoming problematic down the road.

Another piece of this is considering mature size. Trees are generally planted when they are very small without much thought about their mature height and canopy width. A common mistake is planting them too close together for immediate impact. In 20 years, courses end up in situations where there are too many trees, growing too close to each other and playing areas. If trees don’t have adequate room to grow their health can suffer, branches can get tangled, and a variety of other issues can develop. Thinning out a stand of trees that is too tightly planted will improve the health and safety of the trees that remain. While it might seem counterintuitive, removing certain trees will allow the remaining ones to grow larger and fuller, eventually taking the place of the trees that were removed.

Allocating an appropriate budget line-item for tree maintenance is an important part of maintaining tree health and limiting removals. Too often I see courses budget only for removal or the occasional planting, but rarely do they account for routine pruning, root pruning and regular assessments by a certified arborist. Consequently, these costs are deferred because they aren’t deemed necessary when they are actually as important as drainage installation or irrigation improvements. It is common for an 18-hole golf course to spend $75,000 a year on routine tree maintenance alone, depending on the location and tree situation on the property.

Impact on Playability and Turf Health

Identifying trees that obstruct golfers' sightlines or interfere with play is another important factor. Trees positioned along fairways or near tee boxes and greens may impede golfers' ability to navigate the course enjoyably. Sometimes people think that this crowding is desirable because it forces golfers to shape shots or increases difficulty. While those points may be true, chances are that most players would benefit from some extra room and everyone will benefit from better turf conditions if trees that are too close to the line of play are removed. It’s also important to remember that trees are not guaranteed on a course. Any tree is subject to disease, insect feeding or environmental damage from something like a lightning strike. Building a golf hole around certain trees is not a recipe for long-term success.

There are several strategic considerations associated with tree size and placement. While some trees may provide challenging obstacles, others may create an excessive penalty or disrupt the design intent. One example that is repeated on courses all over is the “double hazard.” When a tree interferes with recovery from a bunker, it creates a double hazard that is likely not what the architect intended and may be too difficult for most players.
 

When it comes to the impact trees can have on playing conditions, the effect of shade on turf health may be the most important consideration. Excessive shade can inhibit grass growth, leading to sparse turf, extended periods of leaf wetness and increased susceptibility to disease. This is especially true of trees that are planted too close together, often in rows. Using apps that show shade patterns or capturing drone images of shade at different times of day throughout the year is a great way to objectively assess which trees are creating shade issues on your course. With that information it becomes much easier to explain why those specific trees should be removed.

Trees can also restrict air movement, which impacts the turf’s ability to regulate its temperature and slows down drying after rain or dew. It is not a coincidence that when trees create a pocketed environment, turf health suffers. Removing trees that block the prevailing wind will go a long way in improving turf health and ultimately playing conditions.

Golfers sometimes worry that removing trees along the line of play will make a course easier. Usually, the challenge just takes a different form and scoring hardly changes. Without a dense stand of trees, golfers have the option to take an aggressive path off the tee. If executed, golfers are rewarded with a shorter approach shot. If missed, your ball could land well out of position in dense rough, making a recovery shot to the green more difficult.

A good place to start removing trees along the line of play is where a few are blocking many. Trees planted just inside a wall of trees, often marking a boundary, are usually unnecessary. Those trees are not distinguishable enough from the forest to justify the damage they inflict on the grass around them and they may actually obscure nicer trees along the mature wood line. It is better to let the forest mark the boundary and clear the other trees to improve grass health and playability.
 

Infrastructure Concerns

Identify trees with aggressive root systems that pose a threat to underground utilities, the irrigation system and drainage infrastructure. Root encroachment can also destabilize soil, paths and golf course features like bunkers. No one likes to drive on a bumpy cart path, but that is exactly what you’ll have the longer you allow tree roots to undermine the path material. Root pruning along a path can help, but removal is often the best option, especially if the alternative is replacing long sections of expensive cart path on a continual basis.
 

Environmental Considerations

Adopt a selective approach to tree removal that minimizes ecological disruption and preserves mature trees with high conservation value. Prioritize the retention of native species and trees with cultural or historical significance. It is surprising how many courses have trees that date back hundreds of years that are now hidden amongst a cluster of new plantings. Lean into that history and show those heritage trees off. When identifying trees to keep or remove, select native species that are compatible with the local climate, soil conditions and wildlife habitat requirements. As the name implies, native tree species will perform better than an introduced species. Often those native species are the largest, most attractive trees on the course, so it makes good sense to highlight them.

Be aware of native or introduced species that have significant pest issues, like ash trees. If it’s only a matter of time before those trees go into decline due to pest pressure, a steady program of removals needs to be planned out and budgeted for. As your course considers replacements for those trees, be sure to avoid the mistakes of tree selection and spacing we’ve already covered so that your new plantings don’t cause issues in the future.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

Tree removal is hardly an easy conversation to have. Trees may be large, old, pretty and perhaps even planted by someone in the room. As such, it is important for the facility to foster open communication among golf course stakeholders including golfers, committees, department heads and the superintendent regarding tree removal decisions. Provide a rationale and context for tree removal to garner support and address concerns. Raise awareness among golfers, and the local community if necessary, about the importance of tree management for maintaining the functionality of the golf course and the health of the overall tree population on the property.

It’s important to have a comprehensive tree management master plan and to explain the full picture to stakeholders. The goal is to have the right trees in the right locations. Sometimes that means removals, but it can also mean planting native trees in places where they won’t cause issues. With the help of a golf course architect and an arborist, develop a plan that clearly identifies trees for removal and provides guardrails for plantings. Try to avoid including ornamental trees or memorial plantings. These initiatives can, and will, get out of control.

Conclusion

Effective tree management is essential for maintaining the aesthetic appeal, playability and environmental value of golf courses. Sometimes tree removal is necessary. By carefully assessing tree health, evaluating the impact on playability and safety, considering environmental implications and engaging stakeholders in decision-making processes, golf course managers can make objective decisions about tree removal while hopefully minimizing any controversy. By adopting a strategic and proactive approach to tree management, golf courses can enhance their overall attractiveness, ecological quality and long-term viability as premier recreational destinations.