Tree Maintenance; Part II

As of the second week of February, the maintenance staff has overseen the planting of eight trees around the course, including two beautiful concolor firs, two spruces and four white pines.  To determine planting sites multiple factors were considered.  A golf course architect and arborist were consulted for new tree locations.  The factors they took into account included safety, aesthetics, future tree health and drainage.   
For example, the mulch bed on the right side of the third fairway protects the seventh tee from errant shots.  There was extensive damage to the pines in this bed and five were removed, leaving the tee exposed to the east.  Three large white pines were spaded into the mulch bed along with two smaller spruce trees to block any slices coming from the third tee.  Also of note, the smaller maple tree to the left of the champ tee on the first hole has been removed and replanted behind the 15th tee.  The tree was, and is, in good health but caused too many issues in regards to maintenance and turf health.  Eventually, the maple's root system would have outgrown the area and out-competed the turf on the tee and it's surrounds. 
The large pine stand between the first and ninth hole was devastated by chemical injury and seven white pines were removed from the area.  Younger, talented golfers will sometimes try to drive the ninth green, putting golfers on the first fairway and cart path at risk.  These white pines somewhat protected the area but balls still got through.  To deter these shots (that have an extremely low rate of success) two concolor firs were planted to the northwest of the blue tee, directly between tee and green. 
Large tree planting requires the use of a tree spade and for members and readers that haven't seen one in action, the following slide show depicts the process. Enjoy.