Tree Evaluation and Removal - A process

The tree evaluation and removal plan of Aldarra Golf Club has two key components.  First; improve turf health by evaluating and/or removing trees that block adequate sunlight to a playing surface.  Second, maintaining the original sight lines and intent of the golf course design.  Here is an example of each.

Number ten green receives the least amount of sunlight during the winter months (Nov – Feb) due to the low sun angle.  This green is monitored, specifically the back half, more than any other with regards to cup placement, mowing or rolling requirements, and if the green needs to be closed longer during a cold period.  Sunlight, air, water and nutrients are the fundamental components for proper plant health.  Think of each component as a cup that must be filled to a minimum level for the plant to grow.  Minimum requirements don’t provide proper levels of growth, so you must find ways to increase the amount in each cup.  Removing selected trees allows direct sunlight to reach the canopy of the turf, resulting in improved turf health.   

The next two photos show before and after tree removal around 10 green.  The top photo(before) was taken 9am on December 21^st, 2014.  Most of the green is shade.  The bottom photo (after) was taken January 10th, 2015 

10 Green - Before

10 Green - After

The pictures were taken at the same time of day to show a direction comparison.  Additional trees are being evaluated for removal to increase the direct sunlight to the front of the green.

Seattle Times Article August 2, 2001

When the Fazio design team lasted visited Aldarra in 2009 they told me many of the trees had been planted with the intent some would need be removed over the years as they outgrew their space.  Trees grow both taller and wider.  Most people notice when they grow taller, but we rarely remember how wide they can become.  Research shows that a tree can grow 1 to 2 feet wider each year.  Many of the trees on the golf course were planted in 1999 and 16 years later we forget that a tree has the maximum possibility to be 16 feet wider and much, much taller.  An article was written August 2, 2001 in the Seattle Times featuring a photo of number thirteen.

September 2014

Two large trees were removed in 2009 to restore the original line of play down the right. Trees don’t stop growing until they are removed or die of natural selection. The evaluation process must continue to maintain the original intent of the design.  Species of all sizes must be evaluated.  Smaller trees are much more manageable to remove in-house keeping costs down.  The picture above was taken in September of last year.  It is important to constantly evaluate these areas to keep the original intent of the design.