these Open Championship Clubs choose to relief grind - Pitchcare

Technical
Trees represent an
important resource for the
environment. They provide
carbon sequestration,
replenish oxygen, provide
habitat for vertebrates and
invertebrates and, when
trees die, they can be
utilised for various
products. In the early
days, golf balls were made
from the Gutta-percha
trees (Eucommia
ulmoides), which was used
to make the ‘guttie’ golf
ball.
By Joe McConville,
Arboricultural Association,
Irish Branch
As with all resources, trees need to
be managed. Young trees need to
be tended and protected from
pests. Trees have a natural life
span, and some species live
longer than others, oaks will live well
over 300 years, whilst cherries may only
live seventy years. As trees get older they
are more prone to disease. Different
species will be attacked by different
pathogens. The disease pathogens are
often latent in the environment and, as
the tree ages and loses its ability to
defend itself, it becomes more prone to
infection.
Some pathogens are more aggressive
and will attack vigorous trees and
generally result in wide spread damage
to the tree stock. A classic example of
such a disease was Dutch Elm Disease
which did so much damage in the 1970s
and 1980s. The current cause for
concern is Phytophthora ramorum,
described in the USA as sudden oak
death syndrome. This fungus is infecting
Japanese larch, but has been found on
other species growing in close proximity
to infected larch.
Trees can play a very import role on
SAFETY
Management
of TREES
the golf course; they can be planted to
create pleasing surroundings for the
course; planted strategically to define
fairways; they can be used as markers;
they can be planted to divide fairways
which are vulnerable to attack from
others holes.
Golf courses that are built in existing
parkland settings will also utilise existing
mature trees as obstacles to define the
golf course layout, and define the
character of the course.
Tree management
Good tree management should be
proactive; the financial requirements
should be evaluated and integrated into
annual operational budgets. In order to
evaluate the financial implications, the
golf course should prepare a tree
strategy. This is a document which sets
out how the overall tree resource is to be
managed. It provides the means for
moving away from reactive crisis
management to a more proactive
approach. A tree strategy provides a
clear rationale for ensuring that
adequate resources are allocated on an
ongoing basis.
Sinking branch