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Messy Golf Course Trees, USGA Green Section Update

Adam Moeller, director, Green Section Education | Published on 10/24/2022
By: Adam Moeller, director, Green Section Education

Messy trees that drop debris throughout the year are costly maintenance headaches and often negatively impact playing conditions.


Trees are important features on most golf courses, but they can also be a source of frustration for both superintendents and golfers. Turfgrass problems caused by shade, limited air movement and root competition are just a few of the reasons why tree pruning and sometimes removal are critically important for many golf courses and form the foundation of successful tree management plans.

Debris removal from trees that drop leaves or tend to be messy is a major factor to consider when developing a tree management plan. Leaf removal in the fall can cost thousands of dollars and require hundreds of staff hours – and it’s not only an issue in the fall, don’t forget about messy trees that drop debris throughout the year. Debris such as needles, acorns, fruit or branches at other times of year also require a significant amount of labor to clean up. When this debris falls on turf surfaces it must be removed before mowing, adding time to prepare surfaces for play. The presence of debris can also make it hard to find a golf ball or create other playability issues. In many cases, this debris eventually finds its way into bunkers, which can negatively impact short- and long-term performance of the sand.

One could argue that all trees are messy, but some trees are worse offenders than others. Below are some of the messiest trees found on golf courses in northern areas:


MESSY TREES IN NORTHERN AREAS
WHITE PINE SWEET GUM
WILLOW BURR OAK
SILVER MAPLE BLACK WALNUT
SYCAMORE HICKORY
HONEY LOCUST GINKO
OSAGE ORANGE CATALPA
POPLAR KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE
WALNUT ASH
SILVER MAPLE LARCH
CRABAPPLE BIRCH


Even messy trees can be beautiful to look at, create strategic interest and offer many environmental benefits. But they also cause problems, especially when the wrong trees are in the wrong locations. Each year, USGA agronomists conduct Tree Evaluation visits to help golf courses develop long-range tree management plans. A critical part of these plans focuses on promoting healthy turf, but recommendations for addressing messy trees are also provided. Contact a regional USGA agronomist if you’d like help developing a tree management plan for your course.

Northeast Region Agronomists:

Adam Moeller, director, Green Section Education – amoeller@usga.org

Darin Bevard, senior director, Championship Agronomy – dbevard@usga.org

Elliott L. Dowling, senior consulting agronomist – edowling@usga.org

Information on the USGA’s Course Consulting Service

Contact the Green Section Staff

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