Tree Management Affects Grass Health on Courses

By USGA Green Section Staff

Trees can be a highly controversial topic on a golf course and their impact on turf health and playability are significant. 

Managing and removing trees are often two of the most contentious topics at many facilities. To help guide tree management decisions and create consensus amongst decision-makers, it is valuable to seek input from outside experts, such as golf course architects and USGA agronomists. 

One of the key components of a successful tree management plan is having well-defined criteria for how trees are evaluated. Some key questions to ask are:

Does the tree negatively impact the turfgrass growing environment? Shade, limited air movement, root competition and traffic problems are all things to evaluate when it comes to trees and turf. Different grasses are impacted differently by shade. It’s no coincidence the worst turf quality is often found near trees.

Is the tree healthy? Unhealthy trees are unsafe, unsightly, drop debris and become more challenging to remove as they continue to decline. Some species are more susceptible to pests and should be avoided as new plantings.

What impact does the tree have on playability? The wrong tree in the wrong location can penalize high-handicap players unduly, cause playing corridors to shrink over time and greatly change the design intent of a hole.

Would removing the tree expose a great view or highlight other surrounding specimen trees? You would be surprised how often great views of natural features such as streams, rock outcroppings or horizons are blocked by trees. 

What species of trees are best suited for your golf course? Some trees are inherently flawed with undesirable characteristics such as surface rooting, weak or low-hanging branches, or the production of debris that requires regular cleanup.