Believe it or not, in 6 years we have removed 750 trees on the property. The main objectives of the tree removal program are turf health,tree health and playability. The process of tree selection for removal has been done gradually with foresight and scouting. The first trees selected were areas of declining turf. In order to keep this brief I will comment on tree health in this first post, then discuss turf health and playability in later posts.
Rotten tree ready to fall due to overplanting!When trees are over planted they will compete with each other for available nutrients, water and most of all sunlight. The endless chase for sunlight leads to the abnormal growth habits of limbs and excessive growth at the tips. The excessive growth at the tips can lead to very dangerous situations due to weight and limbs will break off at any time.
Another factor in tree selection is the kind (Genus species) of tree. The majority of trees removed have been Silver Maples. Silver Maples were over planted in the 1950's due to their ability to grow quickly and in different soil types. Additionally, Silver Maples have brittle wood leading to the necessity of regular pruning and a shallow fibrous root system leading to turf decline, plugging of drain lines and disruption of irrigation electrical wires.
As the removal program is rapidly nearing an end the priority will be placed on pruning and planting. With the most undesirable trees removed a COST effective pruning program can begin. Any trees planted will be desirable species such as Pin Oak and Freeman Maple. Thank you for your continued support.
