Technical
Trees represent an important resource for the environment. They provide carbon sequestration, replenish oxygen, provide habitat for vertebrates and invertebrates and, when trees die, they can be utilised for various products. In the early days, golf balls were made from the Gutta-percha trees (Eucommia
ulmoides), which was used to make the ‘guttie’ golf ball.
By Joe McConville, Arboricultural Association, Irish Branch
A
s with all resources, trees need to be managed. Young trees need to be tended and protected from pests. Trees have a natural life span, and some species live longer than others, oaks will live well over 300 years, whilst cherries may only live seventy years. As trees get older they are more prone to disease. Different species will be attacked by different pathogens. The disease pathogens are often latent in the environment and, as the tree ages and loses its ability to defend itself, it becomes more prone to infection.
Some pathogens are more aggressive and will attack vigorous trees and generally result in wide spread damage to the tree stock. A classic example of such a disease was Dutch Elm Disease which did so much damage in the 1970s and 1980s. The current cause for concern is Phytophthora ramorum, described in the USA as sudden oak death syndrome. This fungus is infecting Japanese larch, but has been found on other species growing in close proximity to infected larch. Trees can play a very import role on
the golf course; they can be planted to create pleasing surroundings for the course; planted strategically to define fairways; they can be used as markers; they can be planted to divide fairways which are vulnerable to attack from others holes.
Golf courses that are built in existing parkland settings will also utilise existing mature trees as obstacles to define the golf course layout, and define the character of the course.
Tree management
Good tree management should be proactive; the financial requirements should be evaluated and integrated into annual operational budgets. In order to evaluate the financial implications, the golf course should prepare a tree strategy. This is a document which sets out how the overall tree resource is to be managed. It provides the means for moving away from reactive crisis management to a more proactive approach. A tree strategy provides a clear rationale for ensuring that adequate resources are allocated on an ongoing basis.
SAFETY
Management of TREES
Sinking branch
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148