Tree Replacement

During the course of the season, the Austrian Pines behind the 12th green showed symptoms of declining health.  Many factors could be attributed to these symptoms (disease, extreme heat, chemical exposure) but the simple fact of the matter is that they had to be removed.  The Austrians protected the 13th tee from errant shots at the 12th green, so new, large trees are needed to replace them. 
Winter usually provides ideal conditions for tree transplant and replacement.  The equipment that removes and carries these 20 feet trees weighs over 25 tons.  Considering the root ball itself can weigh 5 tons, a superintendent has to be either extremely brave to let this type of equipment out during the season, or wait for winter.  The ground is usually frozen solid to a depth of a 5-6 inches by this time of year and will support the heavy tree-spade and root ball without leaving deep ruts around the course.   Transferring during the dormant season (winter) means that the tree has little need for water and when that need arises, plenty will be available due to snow melt. 
Unfortunately, the winter of 2012 has been very unpredictable.  With constant thaws the ground has not been able to freeze completely.  To make sure that as little damage is done as possible, the crew worked in the cold hours of the morning and placed large plywood sheets around highly visible and crucial areas of the golf course (the 13th tee and its surrounds), to enable the tree service to cut holes and place the 4 new white pines and 1 new river birch in the selected areas.  The white pines will provide adequate protection to the 13th tee and are impressive specimens, with the potential to grow over 60 feet tall.  Planting during the winter season also allowed the crew to not worry about disrupting golfers, an easy thing to do when transplanting 25 foot trees.



The slide show documents the process of placing these new trees.