Stump Grinding Completed

This Monday the final reminder of the major windstorm that blew through the course this past November was addressed.  Tree Pros Inc. was on site to mechanically grind the tree stumps left behind by the damage inflicted by the powerful winds and subsequent chainsaw activity.  Over the next few days the staff will remove the mulch/soil mixture, fill the void with clean soil, compact the material, and sod the impacted areas.


Tree stump removal is essential in providing for the safety of golfers, guests, and employees.  Tree stumps present tripping hazards for individuals walking the course and pose potential mechanical hazards/expensive repairs to mowing equipment and golf carts traversing in their proximity.

Stump Removal

We continue to work on the final stages of the clean-up from the December wind events.  The remaining tree stumps are scheduled to be ground the final week of February.

Putting Green Tree Root Pruning

The photos below illustrate the roots present and encroaching into the Practice Putting green.  With the removal of the Sycamores, additional severing of the roots via root pruning, and stump grinding complete, the undersized putting surface will be better capable of handling the high volumes of traffic.  The turfgrass will now have adequate sunlight, air movement, and lack of root competition for water and nutrients.  By eliminating these compounding stresses and correcting the irrigation layout, the Bentgrass will sustain density and discourage poa annua establishment.

Root Pruning Time Again

Every two years we prune the roots of trees that reside within close proximity to greens.  The tree roots compete with the high profile turf for water and nutrients.  Since tree removal is a sensitive and emotional issue, it is necessary to utilize alternative measures to limit their impact on the turfgrass.

Green Waste Stockpiling

The volume of tree debris that is generated from storm clean-up, annual pruning, strategic/dead tree removal is hard to accurately quantify.  This green waste is gathered and stockpiled throughout the season within the "Nursery Area" (located between Hole #16 and Hole #18).  The debris will eventually be ground into wood chips via a large Tub Grinder and recycled.  The stockpile requires monthly management throughout the year and when it expands to a point where it presents a fire concern to the overhead lines that provide power to our well motor, it must be consolidated and compacted.  This past month, we rented an excavator with a thumb for a day to perform the consolidation work.  Fifteen months worth of collected material was addressed in four hours.  I was pleased with the results and optimistic that by building the pile vertically we can prolong the time between grinding.  Tub grinding can be a costly expense, but with the volume we generate, it is much more economical than filling and hauling off 30 yard dumpsters.

Tree Roots

After removing key Sycamore Trees from strategic locations adjacent to the practice putting green, we now must address the "quirky" irrigation layout.  In the photos below, Alejandro is relocating a full circle irrigation head to the outside edge of the chipping green.  Running irrigation piping under golf features is a sign of poor design and installation.  (See post identifying pipe running through the bunker on Hole #3 green surround).  In the coming weeks, the entire irrigation layout surrounding the practice putting greens will be renovated.  

As you can see in the image below, tree roots are definitely present in the green profile and love to follow irrigation pipes.  The bottom picture shows how a large tree root was encircling the irrigation pipe as it navigated deeper into the green profile.

Putting Green Shade versus Light

Many people have expressed interest as to why three Sycamore trees were removed from the surrounds of the practice putting greens.  An earlier post containing video narrates the primary reasons, but the pictures below say a thousand words.  The Sycamores close proximity to the putting surfaces allowed for root competition for water and nutrients, provided high volumes of shade (especially in the winter months with their southern locations), and funneled traffic to narrow corridors on an already undersized green.  Turfgrass requires high volumes of light to handle to the wear and tear of play.  The putting green sustains the highest volume of traffic of all greens on the course.  Combine lack of sunlight and high volumes of traffic and turfgrass decline is almost always the result.  As an example, when you are out on the putting green, look at the turfgrass quality on the northern side and then compare it to the southern side.  I am willing to bet that after inspection, even the untrained eye will note a difference.  

Be sure to note the improved density and quality of Bentgrass in the coming weeks now that the trees have been removed.     

Shade present prior to Sycamore removal

Light After Sycamore removal

Tree Decay within the Sycamore:  Future Danger

Elevated Tree Trimming

The 60' Man-Lift, critical in the removal of the trees over-hanging the putting green, was also utilized to perform the bi-annual trimming of the Palm trees on Holes #10 and #15.  In addition to the Palms, the wind damaged Oak west of #11 tee was also pruned utilizing the machine.  

Trees, Trees, Trees....

With the removal of the three Sycamores adjacent to the putting green, that leaves 999 trees on property.  Evaluation and upkeep is a costly and time consuming process.  Trimming dead wood, low branches, and removal of suckers is a job that has been performed for many years by long tenured employee, Luis Franco.  Luis does a tremendous job with this task and could probably tell you a story about nearly every tree residing on property.

One years worth of tree trimming

Luis' Best Work

Luis in action

Removal of Trees Surrounding the Putting Greens

For those of you that have expressed interest in why specific Sycamore trees were removed adjacent to the putting and chipping greens, below is an informative video that for the most part reiterates my comments:

Tree Inventory

This January, I have counted and identified the volume of trees that reside at Arrowhead Country Club.  The total number is 1053.  The charts below identify percentages and total counts per Genus.  I will admit that I have some identification work to do within the miscellaneous category, but this may give you a glimpse into the leaf/debris issue that we battle every fall/winter.

Shade and our Putting Green

The images below depict the volume of shade that our southern most Practice Putting Green receives throughout the day.

7:45 am

10:45 am

11:45 am

12:45 pm

1:45 pm

2:45 pm

Tree Pruning and Green Waste

Throughout the year, we create a massive amount of green waste. A majority this volume is a product of the hundreds of trees that reside on the course. When not vacuuming up fallen leaves or cutting up downed branches, we spend a vast amount of time tree trimming. This form of maintenance is important for several reasons including player and staff safety, improving irrigation performance, protecting mowing equipment, and preventing insect and disease hosting. The debris is collected and stored in the nursery area until being ground into mulch and re-utilized on the course and at the clubhouse.

Tree impacting irrigation trajectory and performance:

Turf stress created by tree's impact on irrigation:

Green waste collection pile:

Tub Grinder making quick work of season's green debris: