Winter Maintenance Part II

Believe it or not, winter is the best time to perform basic tree maintenance tasks. The winter months provide a wonderful window in which the threat, of disease causing organisms or insect infestations, is at its lowest. Although slow, once pruning work has been performed on a tree, the tree initiates its internal defense and starts the healing process. Allowing these processes to occur with little threat of addition damage from disease or insects is very beneficial.

Throughout the winter we will assess each tree on the golf course. We'll perform basic pruning tasks to remove damaged or hazardous branches. We'll also perform pruning tasks to shape and thin tree canopies. Shaping will help provide an attractive form for the tree. Thinning will remove undesirable branches and provide the more desirable branches additional space to expand. All of these tasks are performed to protect and enhance our tree population. Healthy trees, in the right location, add a wonderful framework to the layout of the golf course.

As seen in the photo, tree maintenance produces a mess of debris, adding to our spring cleanup duties. Once the snow melts, we'll begin the cleanup process by raking and piling the debris. This debris will be removed once the ground is firm enough for maintenance vehicles.

Assistant Superintendent, Harrison Beal, performs a shaping prune.