Tree Communication

I have been receiving a lot of feedback about tree removal and I wanted to address a broad overview and a few specifics.  Trees are obviously a very important asset to the club and we want to ensure that we are doing everything we can to protect them and ensure great health.  A major step taken to maintain our trees was to hire  Barry Coate and Associates to provide a detailed audit of our trees.  The little silver tags on every tree are proof of Barry's examination of 1,600 trees that inhabit our property.  We have a manual corresponding to each tag that gives an overview of the trees health, current disease and recommendation to keep or remove along with a recommendation to replace.  This is one piece of  information we use for selection of removal.  Here are some photos of what the manual contains.

Tree Manual

Each individual tree shown here.  The "R" at the far right indicates removal.

Photos showing infected areas

1 More Photo

About 3 years ago the Golf and Greens Committee started a sub-group the "Views Committee" to select specific trees for removal to enhance our views along with improving playability.  We would put together a priority list for each year due to the fact our tree budget allows for 40K on an annual basis. Here are a few notes taken our fist meeting in 2009.  We have met every year since and if anyone would like those notes I can get them to you.  This is another piece of info we use for removal.

(Revision 1)

November 2, 2009

Report from the “Improve our Views” subcommittee

Subcommittee Members:  Terry Eastham, John Pietrzac, Sue Rose, (Andrew Morgan)

On November 2, 2009, the Views Subcommittee spent three hours viewing the course with the objective of improving the views of and from our golf course.  Although the primary focus was on trimming and removing trees, several non-tree recommendations are included in the list below.

Since the annual tree-trimming program is already underway, the highest priority (and less controversial) recommendations will be implemented almost immediately; specifically the recommendations for the #1, #4, #7 and #13 holes.  Comments and further prioritization of the remaining list of recommendations can be considered as/if needed.

Andrew also took notes that hopefully agree with the following:

 Highest Priorities (for immediate implementation):

1)      1^st FAIRWAY --- Trim right side of pine tree #10 (on right side of fairway just off the T-box); also trim adjacent pine tree #9.

2)      4^TH FAIRWAY --- Remove pine trees #262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267 on right side of fairway near the green.  (Redwoods are already planted in this line to replace the removed trees).

3)      7^th T-BOX---Remove the two larger trees behind the T-box; clean out &/or trim the lower lying shrubbery.  Leave the oak tree behind the red-berry bush to the left of the T boxes.

4)      7^th GREEN---Remove tree #482 (leaning over D. Zepp’s House) & do not replace.  Replace the tree (trunk) #464 with a liquid amber.  Also remove scrub tree #474.

5)      13^th FAIRWAY---Remove the obviously dead tree on the left side o f the Fairway.  Consider trimming the tree(s) that is on the center-right side of the fairway (down in the hole) near the 1-tree T-box.

6)      13^th FAIRWAY---Remove the dead tree on the left side of the fairway at the turn.  Also remove the single pine tree on the left side of the fairway at the turn (that is in front of a nice oak tree).

Other Course Areas:

7)      9^TH FAIRWAY---Remove pine tree #596 on left side of fairway near the newly seeded area.  Re-locate an existing small redwood to the general area of #596.

8)      9^th FAIRWAY---Remove the “leaning” pine on the right side of fairway.

9)      5^th FAIRWAY---Remove pine tree #363 on the left.

10)   14^th FAIRWAY---Remove the small pine(?) tree on left side of fairway (near 1-tree Tbox).  Replace with a liquid amber(s).

11)   14^th GREEN AREA---Remove the ugly pine tree #370 to the left of the green.  

12)   14^th GREEN AREA---Remove pine trees #371, 372 and 373 and replace with liquid ambers or prune trees.

13)   18^th T-BOX---Trim/thin the oak tree to the left of the 2-tree T box.  Also trim/thin the oak to the left of the T box that is above the 17^th green.

14)   18^th FAIRWAY---Plant three redwood trees to the right side of the fairway (and right side of the cart path) to block the view of the house with the junker Volkswagon.  Every member & guest riding a cart has to look at this back yard today!

15)   12^th FAIRWAY---Consider topping the two very tall pine trees that are on the right (near the right side of the 15^th green).

16)   11^th T-BOX---Consider topping oaks on left???

17)   11^th T-BOX---Consider thinning/topping tall trees around the 16^th green to open up view(s)???

 Pro-shop and Driving Range areas:

18)   Remove the two birch trees in the planting bed (right side of pro-shop looking out).  Trim/thin/re-do the remaining shrubbery that is currently overgrown. 

19)   (Later) remove the large Juniper tree that is at the very end of the electric storage shed.

20)   Trim the large cypress located near the top of the parking area (driving range side).

21)   (Later) replace the single pine tree that is to the left and above the 9^th green (above the driving range) with several liquid amber or prune trees.

22)   Remove/trim two tall pines to the right side of the driving range.

23)   Lower the height of the hedge that backs the 9^th green by 1-2 feet so that a view down the 9^th fairway is possible.

24)   Lower the height of the hedge surrounding the 1^st T box so the pro shop can see who/when/if anyone is on the T.

Other:

25)   Remove the old and almost-dead tree trunk near the snack shop.  It will never recover to look good!

26)   18^th FAIRWAY “short-cut dirt path” ---Consider eliminating this path OR making it look like it is actually a featureJ.  A slightly curved path (compared to the current linear line) that enters the area more to the left than now and exits more to the right than now…with a low maintenance “mandina” planting along the lower side of the path (to hide the path) might work.  This feature can be seen from the club house!

27)   We discussed but did not address the proposal to widen the 2^nd T Box.

We have a beautiful course with beautiful views that can only get better!

(end)

Before I get into any specifics I wanted to touch on one more general theme and that's to promote the trees on our course that our native to our property.  We are trying to provide some continuity throughout the entire course.  Over the past fifty years a lot of trees were planted without much thought put into placement and species.  This is why today we have a lot of trees on the course that don't belong.  Our main focus of the property should be our heritage oaks and beautiful redwoods native to the area.  What's happening is a lot of these smaller "weeds" I call them are taking away from our signature specimens.  Below are a few examples of this.

Here is an example were the canary pine is taking away from our beautiful white oak, not to mention you can't even see the oak in the back ground.  I know some might say "well it provides safety for people on #8 T" were as I feel the oak is providing the safeguard.  This an example were you remove the canary and it will highlight our 100 year old oak.  Items like this will be discussed for the upcoming 2013 tree budget.

Here another example of a poor specimen ( look at the branching structure) at the back of number 15 not only blocking the view of our oak but inhibiting it's growth.

Specifics:

 I have had a lot of feedback concerning the willow at the turn on number 8.  I would like to start off by saying that 95% of the tree removals are approved by the golf and greens committee or the views sub-committee and this specific willow was no different. It was brought to the committee and approved for removal. The removal was based on the fact that this weeping willow was out of place and caused a lot issues for cleanup and turf coverage. Below is a photo of a valley oak that was planted to replace the willow.   I don't think you can argue that fact that  this tree fits the landscape.

Replacement for willow

 Here are a few photos of the removal to the right of number six to open up the view of our water feature along with making the T-shot a little more forgiving.

 Probably one of the most talked about (controversial) tree's since I have been here is the the monterey pine by the approach on number 10.  Like all monterey pines here they are nearing the end and this one is no exception.  I'm sure the removal of this tree will cause emotions both ways.

Will be removed!

 Moving forward I'm sure that we will continue to see a lot more monterey pines pass away.  We will continue to promote healthy vigorous trees that enhance our experience on the course and use our different committees to make those important decisions.  If you would like anymore information regarding trees at the club please don't hesitate to shoot me an e-mail and we could meet to discuss or tour the property.  amorgan@pahgcc.net