healthy trees to co-exist
With careful management it is possible for healthy turf and
tree giving rise to rot in the system over time. Herbicides required for turfgrass management can cause damage to trees. While the generally higher rates of fertilisation required for trees will burn turf, the lower rates required for turf will have little effect for the trees.
Management strategies There are many
management strategies that can help in the association of trees and turf. These strategies can include the following:
• Use mulch, where possible, under trees instead of turf, which mimics the trees natural environment in nature. This will eliminate competition for nutrients and light and will simplify fertilisation requirements in the area.
• Shade tolerant varieties of turf can be planted around trees if required.
• Slow release fertiliser for trees helps avoid burning of the turf.
• Reduce competition for light, water and nutrients and ensure good drainage circumstances and optimal aeration conditions in the rootzone. 14
• Water deeply and infrequently instead of little and often where possible.
• The presence of weeds in the turf will increase competition for nutrients, so control weeds.
• Other wildflowers (for example camomile) can be used under trees instead of turf where appropriate.
Having said all this, with careful management, it is possible for healthy turf and healthy trees to co-exist and, indeed, should associate together with a balanced management plan. Understanding the management conflicts is important. Awareness of this issue is a major step towards creating a management strategy to optimise both turfgrass and trees within the ecosystem, which is the golf course. There is nothing more uplifting on a round of golf than the view of a fairway framed with majestic trees, creating a completely unique three dimensional component to a course.
About the Author: Mary Purcell is carrying out research for a doctorate degree at University College Dublin in the School of Architecture, Landscape and Civil Engineering. Contact Mary at
mary.purcell@ucd.ie
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