these Open Championship Clubs choose to relief grind - Pitchcare

Technical
Giant Polypore
heaviness or end loading. Remedial
solutions may include restorative pruning
or, in extreme cases, felling.
Trees with a dense branch structure
can have rubbing/crossing branches
which are weakened and at risk of
breakage.
As trees age, branches start to sink, this
can be observed as gaps appear in the
canopy. Sinking branches can be at risk
of failure. Options for remedial action
can include branch reduction or cable
supports.
The foliage in the canopy of trees can
often be an early indication of serious
problems. Reduced leaf size, or leaf
density, can be indicative of root and
systemic problems. Trees will often suffer
from aesthetic foliage problems such as
Guignardia leaf blotch of Horse chestnut,
Tar spot on sycamore or a more
debilitating foliar disease, such as
blossom wilt of cherry.
As mature trees decline they start to
retrench, that is, the distal parts of the
canopy are shut down. This manifests
itself as crown die back. This can be a
very obvious early indication of tree
decline, especially during the summer
months.
Split stem at weak union
108 PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012
Trees can also go into decline as a
result of non-pathogens. Trees struck by
lightning will have bark cracks and
localised area of crown die back.
Chemical damage from herbicide spray
will cause foliage die back.
Insect damage is not generally a
serious problem, especially when there
are cold winters. However, during mild
winters, insect populations can build up
in sufficient numbers to cause foliage
problems; conifers are more at risk, for
obvious reasons. In the past, problems
with cypress and spruce aphids have
been significant.
Solutions
Once potential serious defects are
identified, a management solution needs
to be considered. One option is to move
the target. This may involve restricting
the public from the area or closing part
of the course during periods of extreme
weather.
Remedial tree works should be
considered; this may include branch
removal, crown reduction and lateral
branch reduction, and supporting weak
branches with cables or braces. Trees,
which have suffered root compaction, can
Ganoderma resinaceum - fungal bracket
have the ground decompacted with an
air spade, and then mulched, which can
help restore root vigour and reverse
decline. All remedial tree works should
be carried out in accordance with
BS3998: 2010.
Trees which are in decline or may, in
fact, be dead or dying, have a very
important part to play in the
environment. Where possible, deadwood
should be left in trees for invertebrates,
and, where possible, dead standing trees
should be maintained. These can be cut
back to ‘hat stands’ or poles as
appropriate, as they provide habitat for
invertebrates, bats, birds and potential
feeding and nesting habitats. Not to
forget hunting and plucking perches for
birds of prey.
Before embarking on a dramatic
solution, which may include felling,
specialist advice should be obtained from
a suitably qualified and competent
arboricultural consultant.
More information at www.trees.org.uk
This article first appeared in
Greenside magazine, the
official publication of the
GCSAI. www. gcsai.org
“Trees which have
been previously
pruned and that have
produced regrowth,
which is often multistemmed,
can be at
risk of breakage due
to top-heaviness or
end loading”