Tennessee Turfgrass - August / September 2023

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Out of Time

old saying, ‘Time Flies when you are having fun’ definitely applies to life these days, or is it simply the older I get the faster time moves? I am thinking the latter of these applies more at this point in my life. The one thing we seem to never have enough of is time and once it is gone, it’s gone. There is no getting it back or going back in time, so we better make good use of what time we have as we are never promised tomorrow.

Relationships become increasingly important the older we get as you gain perspective on what matters most. My oldest kids, the twins, are now 25. Mary Grace is a Nurse in the ICU at Tennova in Knoxville and most you know my son Lucas, who is a super at The Honors Course. As you can imagine I am extremely proud of them both, not to mention their little sister. Palmer is our golfer and about to start her senior year of high school, for which I am denial that our baby girl is all grown up. While summer may not officially end until September 23rd, kids going back to school is a reminder that summer is indeed flying by. Those with bentgrass greens in the transition zone are counting down the days as they near what I hope is the conclusion to another successful season. Summer will transition into Football season and on into Fall. Then our Annual Tennessee Turfgrass Conference will be here before you know it, for which we are all excited.

Your TTA Board of Directors has been hard at work behind the scenes and has another excellent conference in the works. The Education Committee, under the leadership of Dr. Brosnan and Dr. Bowling, have put together another incredible lineup of presenters for this year’s show. What I am most looking forward to is you. As you know I am in Florida these days and will be looking forward to connecting with old friends and colleagues at the Tennessee Turfgrass Conference and Show. I hope that everyone is well and finishes the season strong.

See you soon,

Chris Sykes

TTA President

The

the

Tennessee Turfgrass is the official publication of The Tennessee Turfgrass Association

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EDITOR

Dr. James Brosnan

TTA OFFICERS

President

Chris Sykes

PGA Golf Club

Vice President

Ryan Storey Line to Line LLC

Secretary / Treasurer

Ryan Blair, CGCS

Holston Hills Country Club

Past President

Doug Ward

Belle Meade Country Club

Executive Director

Melissa Martin

Tennessee Turfgrass Association

TTA 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jason Bradley

Bart Cash

Ben Dodd

Dan Johnson

Ashley Gaskin

Cal Hill

Jeff Huber

Jeff Kuhns

Bill Marbet

Bob McLean

Jason Sanderson

Mark Stovall

John Wagnon

Jeff Wyatt

TTA ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

Bill Blackburn

Dr. Jim Brosnan

Joe Hill

Dr. Brandon Horvath

Lynn Ray

Jeff Rumph

Dr. Tom Samples

Dr. Dennis Shepard

Dr. John Sorochan

Dr. Wes Totten

Chris Sykes

Leading by Example

sure if you are like me, summer has been an extremely busy time, I hope you can break away for some time with the people who matter.

The TVSFMA board held a successful meeting in July, in the city of Murfreesboro at the Siegel soccer park. Thank you so much to Shane Lamb and his crew for hosting us. Also a big thank you to all of our members, and vendors who make all this possible.

We are also looking forward to our fall meeting on November 1st at Michael Buchanon Park in Bowling Green, KY. I am setting a challenge for the members of the board to each bring one new member, and I would like to extend that challenge to our sponsors and members. We as the board are excited about where we are headed, and we want you to be a part of the journey.

Thinking about leadership and the pressure we all put on ourselves as groundskeepers to grow not only grass, but people. We do this by leading by example, working hard, and teaching. Usually when we need to finish something, we stay late or we are the ones on the weekend that come in to work. But what if we allow our teams to be the ones to stay late or come in extra, and we trust them to do what we have taught them? What if we lead by showing them family time and time away is more important than grass? There is an unwritten honor code in the industry of how many hours we work, and I feel this is what’s keeping the youth from joining the industry. So let’s start leaving on time and taking those trips, I promise that app can wait an extra day.

Take care of yourself and each other,

John D. Clintsman

TVSFMA President

OCTOBER 23, 2023

33rd Annual East Tennessee Scholarship and Research Golf Tournament

Tennessee National Golf Club Loudon, TN

NOVEMBER 1, 2023

2023 MTGCSA Scholarship & Research Golf Tournament

Gaylord Springs Golf Links Nashville, TN

JANUARY 8 – 10, 2024

event

news and updates

John D. Clintsman

Lawrence B. Shore

Lawrence B. Shore, CGCS Retired, 88, died April 13, 2023. Mr. Shore, a 54-year member of GCSAA, was a cattleman and avid gardener. He got his love for cattle through 4-H Club as a teenager and participating in livestock judging contests.

He was a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, earning a bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry. He served two years as an infantry ranger and attained the rank of captain before entering the U.S. Army Reserves.

He worked 31 years as a Certified Golf Course Superintendent at Germantown Country Club in Germantown, Tennessee.

Mr. Shore is survived by his wife, Faythe Cantrell Shore; sons, Alex Bolling Shore, Daniel Riddick Shore and Samuel Murphey Shore; and grandchildren, Sarah Katherine Shore, Davis Martin Shore, Jeremy Robert Shore, Mary Elizabeth Shore, Nathaniel Britton Shore, Connor Daniel Shore, Annaliese Faythe Shore and Julia Grace Shore.

Permission requests should be directed to the Tennessee Turfgrass Association. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Suite

GCSAA’S FIRST GREEN PROGRAM REACHES OVER 10,000 STUDENTS;

Over 10,000 students have participated in the STEM and environmental science focused First Green field trips throughout the United States and Canada. These field trips offer a great opportunity to introduce youngsters to a world many had no idea existed. First Green is a program of the Golf Course Superintendents Association (GCSAA) that brings students out of the classroom to a local golf course for a fun, handson field trip to explore the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) that golf course superintendents use every day to care for their golf courses.

HOW IT WORKS

Working with GCSAA, host superintendents organize a field trip with a local elementary, middle or high school. The field trips include three to four STEM focused learning stations, plus a putting

Opens eyes and minds to the wonders of golf course management

station. Each station lasts approximately 20 minutes and students rotate through each station. There is no charge for the field trips to the schools, students or golf facilities. GCSAA has microgrants available to assist with transporting students or to cover the cost of supplies or lunch.

The learning stations are available to view on the First Green website, thefirstgreen.org, the website also has many resources such as checklists, sample agendas and tips for reaching out to schools. First Green field trips are truly a community outreach program. Local university extension programs, Audubon Clubs and other neighborhood groups often help lead stations and share their expertise with the students.

10,000 students have been introduced to the world of golf course management – we’d love for more of these to be in Tennessee! Please reach out to Leann Cooper, Senior Manager, First Green and Workforce Development at lcooper@gcsaa.org to learn more about the program.

JANUARY 8 – 10, 2024 / EMBASSY SUITES / MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE

STARS OF THE INDUSTRY: TTA AWARD AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN, DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 1 !

An exciting part of our Annual Conference program is the presentation of awards and scholarships honoring those members who work hard to demonstrate a commitment to excellence, best practices, innovation, collaboration and dedication.

GOLF COURSE of the YEAR

AWARDS

As an association, we are proud to honor and highlight those turfgrass managers who go the extra mile, as recognition by our peers imparts extra significance to these awards.

The TTA Board hopes to see many businesses and individuals across the state represented in applications this year. Please nominate a deserving professional – it’s quick and easy to complete the nomination form!

TOM SAMPLES PROFESSIONAL of the YEAR

One of the most prestigious and highest recognitions bestowed on a Tennessee turfgrass professional by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association is the Tom Samples Professional of the Year Award. Each year TTA members are given the opportunity to nominate those who they feel have made contributions to the turfgrass industry.

To nominate: https://ttaonline.org/page-1822617

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD

The following criteria must be met to submit for the Tennessee Turfgrass Association Environmental Stewardship Award:

• Property must be fully managed by an active and in good standing member of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association.

• Property must be in use for at least two years.

To nominate: https://ttaonline.org/ Environmental-Stewardship-Nomination-Form

SPORTS FIELD of the YEAR

The following criteria must be met to submit for the Tennessee Turfgrass Association Sports Field of the Year Award

• For the purposes of this award, a “field” constitutes ONE natural grass playing surface

• To be considered a field must have had two full seasons of play (may be concurrent, i.e., football and soccer on the same field in the fall, etc.)

• All materials must be submitted in one application packet to be considered.

To nominate: https://ttaonline.org/ Sports-Field-of-the-Year

The following criteria must be met to submit for the Tennessee Turfgrass Association Golf Course of the Year Award:

• To be considered a golf course must have had two full seasons of play.

• All materials must be submitted in one application packet to be considered.

To nominate: https://ttaonline.org/ Golf-Course-of-the-Year-Nomination-Form

SCHOLARSHIPS

Supporting the next generation through college scholarships is an honor – TTA is proud to support students in their pursuit of higher education! If you know a high school senior who meets the criteria for these scholarships, please encourage them to apply!

LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP

The Tennessee Turfgrass Association Legacy Scholarship offers financial aid to children or grandchildren of active TTA members in good standing. Scholarship applicants are not required to be pursuing education in a turfgrass related field to be eligible for the TTA Legacy Scholarship. The scholarship is funded and administered by the TTA. The scholarship is $2000.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Applicant must be enrolled at a Tennessee accredited institution of higher learning in Tennessee.

2. Applicant must be the child or grandchild of a current, in good standing member of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association.

ERNEST HARDISON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Ernest Hardison Memorial Scholarship offers financial aid to students interested in pursuing a career in turf management. The scholarship is funded and administered by the TTA. The Scholarship and Awards Committee will review all applications and select the scholarship recipient. All decisions of the committee will be final. This scholarship will be awarded at the TTA annual conference and a check will be made payable to the recipient in the amount of $2000.

ELIGIBILITY

1. Applicants must be enrolled at a Tennessee accredited institution of higher learning in Tennessee in a turf management related field of study. Applicants who are enrolled in online and/or correspondence courses must be currently employed in a turf management related field in Tennessee.

Visit https://ttaonline.org/ page-1583684 for applications.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON

BROWNING JUSTIN

How long have you been at Sewanee and what does your job include?

I’m the superintendent at The Course at Sewanee. I’m starting my third year. I started in April of 2020. It is a special place to come work, it is a community in its own. Day-to-day operations are normal for a golf course superintendent, just maintaining the property, getting the greens cut and the course ready for the golfers. The course was renovated in the 2011-2012 timeframe by Gil Hanse and that alone is very special, especially with the last couple of years of Gil Hanse being on TV in some major golf events, you really see the similarities. Going forward we probably will continue to see that.

How was it coming into a new position during peak Covid times?

Here it was very different. This university makes the students stay on campus, so they pretty much created their own student bubble. The students were not allowed to leave the domain, they had places set up for positive cases and the course was pretty much private to alumni and students, so they did not pop that bubble until the following May. It was easy to get around and get things done, but it was also quite a different experience than even in the Nashville area or anywhere else.

When we opened back up, the way things move around here is a little bit slower, word doesn’t get around. This is kind of golf’s little secret place. Avid golfers know about it, but the guy that lives right down the road may not even know that this course is here. Maybe a month or two later, we really did start seeing the numbers increase. It was peak golf season, April/May/June.

What was your career path before this job?

I was born in Clarksville, Tennessee. I grew up playing baseball and golf. I started golfing probably at eight years old. Fast forward to college, I got into the Austin Peay baseball program as a field tech/equipment manager, where I probably started my love of turf, just taking care of the ballfield, making sure everything looked right. I met the golf course superintendent at Clarksville Country Club as he was out there working on some of our irrigation. His son was going to come play at Austin Peay, that connection turned into a temporary summer position that I filled. I worked through the summer and fell in love with the golf course side of turf. I got a full-time position with Henry Lane at Clarksville Country Club in 2006. I stayed with Henry through 2014, where a management company decided to part ways and went a different direction, that opened up some new avenues for me. I moved right into kind of a foreman role and soon into an assistant role in the 2014–2015 season. The management company decided to go a different route again, and I was the interim superintendent for the summer of 2015. The management company had a guy coming in, and I was moved to assistant. A job opening came up at Eastland Green Golf Course, also in Clarksville, and I spent a year there, then went back to where I cut my teeth, at Clarksville in 2016. I worked there until I came to Sewanee.

Golf Course Superintendent at The Course at Sewanee

How did you parlay a history / political science degree into a career in turf/golf?

At that time, I was so involved with the APSU baseball team, I had a full scholarship to do what I was doing with the baseball team and the baseball field. With APSU not having a devoted turf science program, my original thought was to be a high school baseball coach and history teacher. Somewhere along the way that didn’t interest me as much as I thought it would, so enter the love of taking care of turf. That took its place, and I was able to do that on the baseball field and through learning from Henry at Clarksville Country Club. Going and getting that ‘degree’ that way. To me it’s just as important as having a turf science degree.

What has TTA and TGCSA done to help grow your career?

It’s possibly the biggest part of my career growth. I asked Henry if I could go do a Rutgers program or Penn State and he said, “Stay here and learn for a little bit, get your feet under you, and I can teach you a lot.” Never did I think I would be as involved as I am locally with our chapter, but the time I came in, there were a lot of guys my age that I’m really good friends with in our industry, and they asked me to join and be part of the board for the Middle Tennessee chapter. That was the beginning of it in 2016.

I feel like when I got in on the middle Tennessee board in 2016, we were in a really solid place. Dan Johnson was the president at the time. We were able to carry on a pretty good board and then the pandemic kind of blew us to pieces in Middle Tennessee. Nashville was a different monster, Covid really handcuffed us on what we could do. And we could only do so much Zoom calling and Zoom meetings. In the last year, I feel like our participation is getting back to that level, where we’re kind of rebounding, turning that corner and getting good, strong meetings with good speakers. I’m happy to see that and be a part of it.

I worked my way up, I’ve served as president a couple of times. It is important to understand that we have a network and you’re never too humble to ask somebody which way you should head. There’s no right answer, there’s so many ways to do this job. To see how differently other superintendents and colleagues do it can only make you better at what you do. Being able to communicate with these guys in our area that do the same thing, take care of the same types of grass, understanding that we are here for each other, it’s not a competition. Granted, we do want our courses to succeed, but we also want each other to succeed.

I’ve also recently accepted the GCSAA Delegate position for Tennessee, where I’ll serve at least through the end of 2024. I’ll evaluate at the end of that term whether I want to continue.

What are some unique challenges of your job / location?

We are in the mountains, at about 2100 feet elevation, so our climate is quite different. I live down in the valley, about a 20-minute drive, and we are normally an eight- to ten-degree difference when I leave work and go home. I’ve been working with Dr. Brosnan

to dig into our climate up here. We’re comparable to Columbus, Ohio, with our yearly temperature. It is a challenge, and winter damage affected everybody in the mid-state this year. It definitely affected us. I think we can approach this to find ways to use our climate as an advantage up here, we can see what they’re doing in those areas that we are comparable to, which we are doing moving forward. We’ve worked pretty hard on getting a plan in place to do so. A lot of times it’s a benefit that it’s that much cooler up here in the summer. But it’s also that much colder in spikes in the winter as well. It’s not always a curse. I wouldn’t say it’s a problem that we run into, but it can be at times.

This course was built in 1915 by Chancellor at the time, Bishop Albion Knight. So the Bishop built the golf course using the football team to clear off the trees. In 2011, they brought in a renovation team, which was Gil Hanse. They opened back up in June 2012. They did a fantastic job, the bones here are still very good.

In 2018 it was public course of the year when Tim Parsons was here. I hope to bring that back. Moving forward we are going to look at doing a bluegrass type of grassing renovation on our fairways,tees and collars around the greens to match our bentgrass greens, which is cool season and our fescue roughs. So the course will be treated as a full cool season golf course. Hopefully we’ll have that done by the spring, so we’ll implement as much bluegrass as we can this fall. We’ll be sodding collars, seeding our fairways and tees that aren’t getting a lot of iron play.

The new types of bluegrass that can be used in sports turf weren’t out when they did the renovation in 2011, so the best route was to go with the 419 bermuda, but now that this is here, we’re able to implement it and use both of the grasses. I think is going to be a win for this mountaintop. It’s where we’re heading and Dr. Brosnan and Dr. Horvath have been out here to show my directors and presidents why and how, they’re such great resource to be used in our area. The course should be making some noise, this place is still growing, still getting better and still a great place to work.

How many people are on your team and what do day-to-day operations look like?

I have an assistant and a mechanic, and three other staff members, so we’re not a big staff. We’re a nine-hole facility, so we can manage. We have room for one and a half more people, so sometimes we’ll pick up students in the summer if some golf team members stay back. We don’t have many problems getting things done as long as we don’t have huge projects in the way during the growing season.

Our day-to-day stuff isn’t any different than anybody else’s. We keep the greens sprayed and caught up on fungicide programs and we walk mow greens often, five maybe six days a week during the summer. We’re closed on Monday, so we’re able to handle a lot of big maintenance projects, topdressing or if we have to vent our greens or do bigger tasks like that without golf getting in the way. Other than that, it’s a great day to get ahead of the week’s projects. It’s not a test to work around golf, but it’s good to have that day to plan around and get those things done. We have a little crew but they’ve been around a while. I’ve got two brothers on staff that are twins, they’re 62 years old, but they can outwork most 18-year-olds.

They’ve been here since before our renovation, so this is theirs more than it is mine. To have guys like that on crew that are so proud of this place, you can’t replace that.

What is the best part of your job?

There’s a lot. The best part could be just driving up the mountain and seeing the views of the sunrise off the bluffs. The best part of being a superintendent to me is passing on information to the younger guys. Whether its information about doing your job or how to hold yourself around others or in meetings, things like that. Tricks of the trade – I was fortunate enough to have a superintendent, Henry, that passed on things like that. If I can pass that on to younger guys, that’s probably the best part of being a superintendent. Being here at Sewanee, it’s just a beautiful course, a beautiful campus. Just a special atmosphere.

What would your advice be for people just starting in the industry?

Learn as much as you can hands-on, get in the business and move around, even if you’re just cutting greens on the weekends, because you can learn a lot in a classroom, but nothing teaches you the process of the day. Also, learn from different superintendents because there are so many ways to do this and none of them are wrong. You don’t know until you write something on a dry erase board the day before, thinking you’re ahead and that night an irrigation break happens or it rains and then you’ve got to erase everything you wrote down, so you have to plan, and then have a plan B. You’re always moving, you’re always proactive, you’re

always reactive. For a guy coming in to have that mindset would put you ahead of the game.

I don’t see me doing anything else. It’s a special type of job, you’ve got to be ready to be up early, and that’s not a bad thing. A lot of times you’re home with family at a good time. When the bus comes home and the kids get off, a lot of times you can be there. That’s what I’d tell someone coming in — just get out there and work, get your hands dirty and see how your superintendent is moving through the day and learn from that.

What do you do outside of work?

Family / hobbies?

My wife Khrystin and I have been married 14 years. We have two girls that just turned 11 and 12, Brooklynn and Preslee. We are chasing softball, cheer and basketball. I wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s stressful, we’re always on the move, which makes it where when you’re not on the move, the couch sounds very rewarding and refreshing. If we’re not on the run, I’ll sit around on the pool deck and watch football or baseball and swim. We have good friends in the neighborhood and if we’re not in the neighborhood, we don’t mind going to the beach for a few days.

I love spending time with friends and colleagues in the industry in our area. We like to golf and meet up, talk about work for a little bit because we can’t help it. We watch Titans games, Clemson football, Braves games, luckily my girls are okay with that and they’ll watch games with us. But right now, we’re on the road constantly. We’re home for a minute, we’re off to practice or games. But we wouldn’t change that for anything and I’m very happy to have the time to accommodate that.

WEATHER APPS and WEATHER DECISIONS

Let’s Make the Most of Both!

By Brad Jakubowski, Assistant Teaching Professor, Center for Turfgrass Science, Penn State University

Keeping an eye on the weather is something professional turfgrass managers have ingrained into our systems. Can I mow today? We check our phones for the most recent forecast. Should I spray today? We monitor dewpoints, humidity and temperatures. Will I pull the tarp prior to today’s game? We study the weather radar. There is a tremendous amount of weather information out there and nearly all of us have some form of a weather app on our phones, or a link to our favorite weather website, to help us make day-to-day management decisions. Let’s take a journey, to see what is out there and what information will help us make the best weather-based decisions possible.

Which app is the best?

Honestly, there is no one best app. It is important to find an app or a number of apps that provide you the most reliable and quickly available information. Basic Information that is important to have available with the least number of clicks would be: High and Low Temperatures (including overnight lows), Dewpoint, Relative Humidity, and Short-Term Weather forecasts. Intermediate information includes: Radar (Base and Composite Reflectivity), Satellite Imagery, and Severe Weather (especially lightning). Advanced information would be: Echo Tops, Vertically Integrated Liquid, Digital Storm Accumulation and Forecast Discussion.

Basic Information

When looking for basic information, it is best to have most or all important data on the first screen, or within one or two clicks from the first screen. That is often a good way to judge how well your app will benefit you over time. As an example, The National Weather Service includes much of the basic data (Figure 1). At a glance, you can get a good idea of what is happening now and what will happen in the immediate future. High and low temperatures provide a quick mental image of how the day (and night) may influence your maintenance plans. Winds, dewpoint and relative humidity provide a quick insight on irrigation requirements, disease potential, and infield skin management requirements.

It is beneficial to see both relative humidity and dewpoint together. Viewing only either limits your view of the big picture. For example, a relative humidity of 95% with dewpoints near 70 degrees indicate that less time may be spent scouting for wilt and instead used scouting for diseases. The same relative humidity with dewpoints under 30 may indicate a majority of the day may be dedicated for scouting wilt or watering an infield skin.

The Hourly Forecast –The Turf Manager’s Secret Weapon!

The Hourly Forecast on Weather.gov (Figure 2) is the turf manager’s secret weapon. In one image, a turf manager can make plans for multiple issues and tasks. For Example, The Heat Index: potential high heat indexes aids in planning for employee safety; Temperature and Dewpoint: Matched high overnight dewpoints and temperatures means extended leaf wetness and high disease potential. They also indicate heavy dew until at least 8am, which

may require a syringe cycle to limit mower clumping, or to make sure greens are whipped post-cut; Wind Speed and Direction (Surface Wind): predicted light southerly winds meaning even higher probability for disease potential and dew, as well as for good spraying conditions in the early morning, but gusts in the teens starting around 11am; Relative Humidity: indicates conditions will be wet early, but dry quickly throughout the day; Sky Cover: indicates it will be partly cloudy throughout the day providing some relief, while Precipitation Potential indicate a 50% chance of rain throughout the day.

Figure 2: The Hourly Forecast from www.weather.gov

Figure 1: Weather.gov basic data

Intermediate Information

When making game-time decisions such as tarp pulls, or field evacuations, due to severe weather, radar becomes an important tool. There are numerous good weather radar apps available. Many are free, some require an annual fee of $US 10 to 50. Many of the fee-based apps offer expanded functionality, precision and overall quality of information. Regardless of cost, radar app selection should prioritize the type of reflectivity the radar images are based upon. There are two types: Base Reflectivity and Composite Reflectivity. Each time a radar transmitter spins, it sends out a microwave ‘sweep’ at different elevations to get a complete picture of all atmosphere elevations. A Base Reflectivity image represents only a single sweep of the radar transmitter. This means that near the transmitter the radar ‘sees’ is low in the storms and as distance increases the beam rises and can overshoot the core of heavier precipitation. Many High-Resolution (Hi-Res) radar images feature only Base Reflectivity sweeps.

Composite Reflectivity stitches together all elevation scans, in order, to create an image that represents a more complete picture of an incoming storm. These are often lower-resolution images and may be more pixelated. Figures 3 and 4 are of the same storm with the former being a Base Reflectivity image and the latter a Composite Reflectivity image.

Figure 5 shows the different reflectivity options you may have within a radar app, and again illustrates not all radar imagery is the same. So, when trying to make critical game-time decisions, a radar image using Base Reflectivity may grossly underestimate the significance of an incoming storm. When selecting a radar app, be sure investigate the types of radar images it provides, and be prepared to spend a few dollars for radar that will prove worthwhile in the future.

Satellite Imagery

There are numerous Satellite Imagery options as well. They provide visible cloud cover; infrared (the most common that we see), moisture content; and all-in-one maps that include a combination of radar, infrared, and weather station models to tell a complete weather story. Satellite images can give you a broader perspective of how the weather is behaving on a wider, more continental, scale. The images and loops illustrate air flow, cloud and moisture movement and overall dynamics of frontal systems. These large-scale images and video loops can help in longer-term planning. They can aid in project preparation and used as a tool to help protect fields when communicating with administrators that may be considering additional unexpected events during non-use days. It is useful to compare these images with regular weather maps to get a good working knowledge of fronts and changing weather systems.

Figure 5

Figure 4: Composite Reflectivity

Figure 3: Base Reflectivity

Severe Weather

Lightning is the most critical facet of severe weather for sport turf managers. In 2022, one in five people struck by lightning were engaged in an outdoor sporting activity. Having an app that can provide you lightning information instantly or within a click on your phone is important. The lightning information from the WeatherBug app for Figure 6 only required a short scroll down and a single click. An old AM radio is also good to have on-hand as a back up lightning detector. Significant increase in crackles and static transmitted across AM radio bands are dependable indicators of lightning activity in the area. Old School!

Advanced Information

As we work towards becoming more proficient with understanding weather and being able to make better weather-based decisions, we find more advanced tools to help us. Echo Tops or Cloud Height is another function to help us assess the intensity of an oncoming storm. An Echo Top measures the overall height of a storm, which is an indicator of the strength of storm updrafts. Stronger updrafts make convective wind gusts and large hail more likely.

When several storms are on radar, the Echo Tops tool can point out the more severe storms and the direction they are travelling (Figure 7). This can be valuable information to

report to the front office when asked about making a call on a game or whether the conditions will be safe to conduct a lastminute tarp pull. Another tool to assess the strength of a storm is Vertically Integrated Liquid (VIL). The VIL index measures how much water is being transported vertically throughout a storm cloud and is another indicator of a storm’s updraft strength. Taller updrafts tend to have higher values of VIL and are more likely to produce hail.

One more tool that can be used to help determine the total accumulation of a precipitation event is Digital Storm Accumulation. By allowing you to assess discrete accumulations over short periods of time, this tool may help you determine whether or not to pull a field cover for a particular rain event. Saving time and energy that could be used elsewhere and avoid unnecessary delays. This tool may also aid in determining the potential of a flash flood event in your area.

Summary

Technological advancements afford us incredibly convenient tools and information apps that support worker and clientele safety while improving our maintenance, irrigation, pest management, and playability decision-making. Take advantage of this opportunity by investigating these different apps and functions. Poll your colleagues, service providers, and blogs/forums to best experiment and discover what works best for you and your facility.

Figure 6 Figure 7

This article was originally published in Alabama Turf Times, Fall 2023 and is reprinted with permission.

José Javier Vargas Almodóvar Research Associate II

Turf & Ornamental Weed Science

The University of Tennessee

2431 Joe Johnson Drive

252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg. Knoxville, TN 37996

(865) 974-7379

jvargas@utk.edu

tnturfgrassweeds.org

@UTweedwhisperer

Greg Breeden Extension Specialist, The University of Tennessee

2431 Center Drive

252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg. Knoxville, TN 37996-4561

(865) 974-7208

gbreeden@utk.edu

tnturfgrassweeds.org

@gbreeden1

Jim Brosnan, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Turfgrass Weed Science

The University of Tennessee

2431 Joe Johnson Drive

252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg. Knoxville, TN 37996-4561

(865) 974-8603

jbrosnan@utk.edu

tnturfgrassweeds.org

@UTturfweeds

Kyley Dickson, Ph.D. Associate Director, Center for Athletic Field Safety

Turfgrass Management & Physiology

(865) 974-6730

kdickso1@utk.edu

@DicksonTurf

Frank Hale, Ph.D. Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology

The University of Tennessee 5201 Marchant Drive Nashville, TN 37211-5201

(615) 832-6802

fahale@utk.edu

ag.tennessee.edu/spp

Becky Bowling

Turfgrass Extension Specialist

The University of Tennessee rgrubbs5@utk.edu

@TNTurfWoman

John Stier, Ph.D. Associate Dean

The University of Tennessee 2621 Morgan Circle

126 Morgan Hall Knoxville, TN 37996-4561

(865) 974-7493

jstier1@utk.edu

turf.utk.edu

@Drjohnstier

Brandon Horvath, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Turfgrass Science

The University of Tennessee

252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg. 2431 Joe Johnson Drive Knoxville, TN 37996 (865) 974-2975

bhorvath@utk.edu

turf.utk.edu

@UTturfpath

John Sorochan, Ph.D. Professor, Turfgrass Science

The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive

363 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg. Knoxville, TN 37996-4561

(865) 974-7324

sorochan@utk.edu

turf.utk.edu

@sorochan

Alan Windham, Ph.D. Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology

The University of Tennessee 5201 Marchant Drive Nashville, TN 37211-5201

(615) 832-6802

https://ag.tennessee.edu/spp/ @UTPlantDoc

LANDSCAPE

RECOVERY DECEMBER FLASH FREEZE

following the in Tennessee

By Lee Rumble,

The Flash Freeze Event

At midnight on December 22, 2022, air temperatures in the Knoxville area were 46ºF. Across the next six hours, temperatures plummeted to 10ºF and as the day continued, air temperatures continued to decline to 3ºF by midnight on December 23, 2022. In a 24-hour period, Knoxville experienced a 43-degree temperature drop…and similar conditions were observed across the state. The rapid and dramatic decline in temperature was compounded by strong winds and sustained freezing temperatures (< 32ºF) that persisted across the state for three more days! It was not until noon on December 27, 2022, that temperatures would once again rise above 32ºF (Time and Date AS, 2023).

Understanding Dormancy in Higher Plants

Trees and shrubs have dealt with freezing temperatures for millions of years. Fortunately, researchers and growers have spent contemporary time focusing on how plants protect themselves from freezing conditions. At the dawn of the 19th century, Sir Thomas Knight pioneered early studies on dormancy in plants. In 1801, he conducted experiments that demonstrated the need of woody perennial plants to endure a period of dormancy before plants could resume growth in the spring (Fadón et. al., 2019). This research, and the work of many other scientists and scholars throughout the 20th century, helped to form the basis of our current understanding about dormancy in higher plants. Today, we recognize that four major conceptual stages in dormancy occur in deciduous plants (Fadón et. al., 2019):

• Dormancy Induction – The first step in winter cold-hardiness of plants begins with annual leaf drop that follows in response to decreasing photoperiod and temperatures. Conditions stimulating dormancy induction vary greatly among species (and cultivar).

• Endo-dormancy – Achieving the conditions that represent inherent dormancy requirements within the plant. After endo-dormancy needs are met, release from endo-dormancy will be most influenced by low nighttime temperatures that occur after an acclimation period that we now describe as “chilling hours”.

• Eco-dormancy – A quiescent, or resting, state. Once a plant has become acclimated to cold temperatures, eco-dormancy is then controlled and maintained by environmental factors external to the plant. A period of sustained and mildly elevated temperatures could trigger resumption of plant growth. Often, however, growth is prevented by other unsuitable environmental conditions.

• Growth Resumption – When plant-favorable environmental conditions again resume, phenological changes next begin that lead to renewed growth, including foliar bud break and initiation of floral blooming.

At their core, these four stages seem relatively straightforward. However, the number of interactions that occur within plants leading to emergence from dormancy are actually quite numerous and complex. Thresholds of photoperiod, temperature, and cold acclimation are met, then overcome, while transport blockage, phytohormones, genetic and epigenetic regulation, and carbohydrate reallocation all work tirelessly together in the background at each stage.

Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent, UT/TSU Extension—Knox County

In east Tennessee, most of our mature deciduous trees showed no immediately noticeable damage. Individuals of many tree species were already fully acclimated to the freezing December temperatures. The same was not true, however, for many of our evergreen tree and shrub species. Throughout the winter months, evergreen species do not go fully dormant and continue to absorb light energy (photons). Under favorable environmental conditions, evergreen species are still able to photosynthesize; thus, utilizing their “evergreen” leaves for longer periods of time. Yet, under unfavorable conditions (i.e., freezing temperatures), the light rays that are absorbed by chloroplasts in leaves and needles cannot be used by the plant, resulting in plant damage. Freezing temperatures inhibit CO2 assimilation, leading to the overexcitation of photosynthetic machinery, and create light stress in evergreen foliage. This condition has been called chlorophyll bleaching or “solarization” (Öquist and Huner, 2003). The interactions between light, freezing temperatures, and also desiccation can be damaging (if not lethal) to evergreen leaves. In our area, broadleaf evergreens and needled evergreens really took a hit from the flash freeze event, and it was these plants that we received the most calls about.

What Happened to Plants

Most often, freeze damage can be associated with ice formation within plant cells. This ice formation within the cell is what ultimately punctures the cell walls leading to a loss of function (Bumgarner et. al., 2023). Certainly, with the rapid and sustained temperature drops, cell damage was likely to occur in some plants. With such a rapid drop in temperature, plants were unable to implement internal defense measures to tolerate the sudden freezing temperatures. This, in addition to excessive wind gusts (averaging 19 mph here in Knoxville)

Figure 1: Loropetalum (Loropetalum spp.) showing initial chlorophyll bleaching (or solarization) damage from December freeze event. (Photo taken January 4, 2023 by Lee Rumble)

Figure 2: Boxwoods (Buxus spp.) had been pruned in late fall, 2022. It was the newly stimulated growth that had not hardened off which was most affected by the flash freeze and sustained cold weather. Compare the difference between the unpruned (and unaffected) boxwood directly behind the row of pruned shrubs. (Photo taken January 4, 2023 by Lee Rumble)

Figure 3: A Common Cherry Laurel (Prunus spp.) shrub killed to the ground. (Photo taken January 4, 2023 by Lee Rumble)

helped to further desiccate (dry out) many of our plants. Within two weeks, noticeable signs of damage appeared across the state and the calls came swarming in. Coolseason turfgrasses, ground covers, conifers, borderline hardy shrubs, and both broadleaf and needled evergreen plants were most noticeably affected. Turfgrasses showed brown necrotic tissues, conifers almost immediately began to bronze, borderline hardy shrubs began to defoliate, and broadleaf evergreens started showing signs of solarization ( Figure 1 ). This flash freeze event appeared to be most destructive to those “borderline hardy” species listed as USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7 or Zone 8 plants. Aucuba , Camellia, Cryptomeria , Distylium , Ficus , Indian Hawthorn ( Rhaphiolepis spp.), Loropetalum , and other genera all showed initial signs of damage. Yet it was not just borderline hardy plants that were affected; we also saw damage on Azalea, Arborvitae, Boxwoods, Chamaecyparis spp., Cherry Laurel ( Prunus laurocerasus ), Hollies ( Ilex spp.), Magnolia, Nandina, Crape Myrtle, Lenten Rose ( Helleborus spp.), and even English Ivy.

Interestingly, we observed that site location and exposure to microclimates within the landscape mattered. In some landscapes, species were seemingly killed to the ground, while the exact same species in another landscape may well have escaped the freeze damage. For those of us in the green industry, this serves as a clear reminder of the importance not only of careful plant species (and cultivar) selection, but also attention to where and how we place our plants within the landscape. We also observed that plants that had been pruned late into fall 2022, and that had developed new growth since pruning that had not hardened off, were more drastically affected (Figure 2). In many cases, plants that were already unhealthy and lacked vigor eventually succumbed to this freeze event—this was most noticeable in Cherry Laurels (Prunus laurocerasus) that went into the event already stressed (Figure 3).

What We Told People to Do

Almost immediately calls began from across the state—from Memphis to Johnson City. We encouraged people to be patient and stay calm. But with April and May still several months away, this advice was a tough sell given the drastic effects seen on many of our landscape plants. Most of the calls were initiated with “Should I cut my plants back now”? Due to this influx of calls, our University of Tennessee Extension Horticulture Workgroup collaborated to prepare and distribute a Fact Sheet: Handling the Holiday Freeze in Your Lawn & Landscape (Bumgarner et al. 2023) to help our clientele understand that follow up recommendations about these types of events are often a “wait and see” game. Only time can tell us which plants are able to weather a freeze event.

As plants continued to defoliate in the days that followed and calls continued well into January, we encouraged people to implement a “scratch test” on their favorite winter-damaged plants. By scratching bark from a small section of stems and twigs within the canopy, we could better see if the tissues beneath the bark were green (a viable plant) or brown (a dead plant). More experienced gardeners likely also understood twig pliability and a plant’s ability to rebound after slight pressure is applied to the uppermost twigs. Still, with many of our favorite plants defoliating rapidly, and spring temperatures rising, people were anxious to get out and try to fix the problem. We encouraged people to limit their pruning until the full extent of what was to come was made apparent with the arrival of spring bud break. A second added benefit of waiting to prune is that by leaving aboveground damaged tissues, especially for low-growing perennial plants, the stems and entwined leaf litter proved useful in providing a little more insulation to the crown and roots of these plants.

What Has Progressed Since

Since the initial damage we saw within days or weeks to many of our broadleaf evergreen plants, a more extensive portion of the foliage on these plant species ultimately succumbed to the damage that occurred. Initial solarization, loss of plant vigor, and subsequent defoliation were seen in most of the species listed previously in this article. While many plant species might have defoliated entirely, the ultimate survival and viability of many individual plants was still promising. Frequently, our scratch tests showed green (viable) tissues just beneath the bark. For a few species (particularly Indian Hawthorn, [some] Hollies, and Cryptomeria) we

quickly saw brown scratch test results (dead stem tissues); it was these plants we became more worried about.

What We’re Seeing Now

By the end of May, we saw most plants rebound, while other specimens and species have succumbed to their injuries. It is important to remember that rarely does one single factor kill an established, mature woody ornamental shrub or tree. Instead, they die as the result of a cumulative series of stressful events that build up with time. Eventually, the combined losses of vigor, limbs, and foliage will lead to premature plant death.

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Another negative effect that has since emerged following this freeze event is the appearance and expansion of vertical frost cracks in the bark and wood of some of our deciduous landscape trees (Figure 4a). Frost cracks most commonly occur on the south and/or west side of trees, on plant species that have particularly thin bark, and for tree trunks that may be exposed to direct sunlight. Warming daytime temperatures and cool nighttime temperatures in early spring combine to promote the expansion and contraction between the bark and inner wood—ultimately leading to frost cracks that appear as vertical splits on the main stems and scaffold limbs of trees and shrubs.

Unfortunately, with frost cracks, the damage usually gets worse before it gets better (Figure 4b). For smaller frost cracks, these should be left alone, allowing the tree’s natural wound response to attempt to compartmentalize (i.e., close) these injuries across time—do not use wound sealants (e.g., paint, tar, or expanding foam) on exposed wood tissues. If frost cracks are large and severe, you might be better off consulting with an ISA Certified Arborist to see if bark tracing, or carefully cutting away the peeling bark back to sound tissue using a sterilized surgical blade, may be a good option for your tree (Bark Splitting on Trees, 2018). Carefully removing (by surgical means) larger pieces of loose bark allows the tree a better opportunity to compartmentalize larger wounds. However, once the internal wood is exposed to the external environment, the elements, wooddecay Fungi, and various insect pests will all be able to access and further expedite decay within the exposed wood. Ultimately, the severity and extent of these frost cracks will determine the survival fate of these affected species.

While there is no clear cut answer to fix the damage caused by freezing temperatures, it is important to realize that, even for those specimens and species that appear to have survived this freeze event, they will still be susceptible and under stress well into 2023. Understanding this stress and managing it throughout this year will be a good way to help promote landscape plant vigor and a quicker, stronger chance of recovery.

Figure 4a: A vertical frost crack on the main trunk of a Red Oak (Quercus spp.) tree. (Photo taken March 28, 2023 by Lee Rumble)

Figure 4b: A comparison of the original frost crack (Figure 4a) on the main trunk of a Red Oak (Quercus spp.) tree nearly 8-weeks following the initial injury. Due to the excessive bark loss, little hope of survival is predicted for this tree.

(Photo taken May 10, 2023 by Lee Rumble)

How to Best Handle Future Freeze Events

While we get little say in future freeze events, taking a few precautions at the time of plant selection can go a long way in ensuring that the plants in our landscapes are hardy enough to handle another freeze event such as the one experienced in December 2022. Start by implementing a few best management steps that can go a long way in helping landscape plant selections to not only survive, but thrive:

• Select cold hardy species (and cultivars) adequate for our USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7.

• Avoid late summer fertilization and/ or pruning, which might stimulate new growth late in the season.

• Water trees and shrubs, especially evergreens, during dry periods until the ground freezes.

• Use just a few inches of mulch to conserve soil moisture and insulate the roots from freezing temperatures.

Older, decomposed mulch should be removed before adding new mulch to an established landscape tree or shrub bed.

• Take appropriate steps to manage pests and encourage plant vigor throughout the year.

• Identify and understand how to best utilize (or avoid) microclimates that occur within every landscape.

Resources Cited and Additional Reading:

Bumgarner, Natalie, Jim Brosnan, Amy Fulcher, Lucas Holman, Lee Rumble, Taylor Reeder, Celeste Scott, and Justin Stefanski. 2023. Handling the Holiday Freeze in Your Lawn & Landscape. University of Tennessee Extension Fact Sheet. https://westtn. tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/ sites/35/2023/01/Handling-the-Holiday-Freeze-in-Your-Lawn-Landscape.pdf

Fadón, Erica, Eduardo Fernandez, Helen Behn, and Eike Luedeling. 2020. A Conceptual Framework for Winter Dormancy in Deciduous Trees. Agronomy 10, 241.

Öquist, Gunnar, and Norman Huner. 2003. Photosynthesis of Overwintering Evergreen Plants. Annual Reviews Plant Biology 54, 329-55.

Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic, Cornell. 2018. Bark Splitting on Trees: Various. Cornell University Fact Sheet. http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/ factsheets/barksplitting.pdf

Time and Date AS December 2022

Weather Graph – Knoxville, 2023. Time and Date AS 1995-2023. Web. 10 May 2023. https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/usa/knoxville/ historic?month=12&year=2022

This article was originally published in Tennessee GreenTimes, Fall 2023 and is reprinted with permission.

If you’re not following all the up-to-the-minute news on X (formerly Twitter), you may be missing out on some great information and opportunities.

From event updates to Job Listings to networking, X is a great way to stay connected.

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ENVIRONMENT OF GROWTH

By Neal Glatt, CSP, ASM

veryone wants better employees and today, that usually requires growing them internally. By starting with a high-potential worker and developing them intentionally, companies are able to build a near-ideal employee ready to tackle their specific issues. But employee development only occurs in the right environment.

Employee growth is not unlike plant growth in that the result is dependent primarily on environmental factors rather than genetic make-up. Unfortunately, managers rarely audit their environment for employee growth potential and even fewer have clear ideas about the factors that would make a strong growth environment. Here are the seven environmental factors that should be considered when cultivating a culture of development:

Advanced Expertise – Growth can only occur when someone is ahead of the employee to be developed because someone must be setting the pace for production and sharing knowledge. This doesn’t mean the smartest person in the room has to quit, but rather that they need a coach or mentor outside of the company to guide them.

Continually Challenged – Advancing to the next level never happens by accident, so an environment where everyone is challenged to reach higher levels of performance creates the tension needed to advance intentionally.

Future-Oriented – A team which is focused on past mistakes doesn’t have the right outlook to grow their team. Growth is always the result of forward thinking where a better reality is a goal and positive intent around its achievement is embraced.

Affirming Atmosphere – Development takes a lot of extra work beyond simply the status quo so teams that encourage each other to the next level of their skills are the ones that usually stick it out to see the results. It is the consistency of effort over long periods of time that is enabled through encouragement and brings true results.

Mission Driven – When team members understand what their company does to enhance the lives of their customers and how their role contributes to making a difference, they are more likely to wake up excited and be driven to be the best version of themselves. This energy is essential to growth.

Failure is Embraced – When we learn new skills and put them into practice, failing is a large part of the learning journey. In fact, learned experience is the quickest way to actually know anything. But a negative reaction to mistakes will deplete growth momentum, so wise teams expect and embrace them when they occur.

Mutual Advancement – People always work best when they’re working together, so teams where every member is growing are far more likely to see positive results. The best environments for growth have individualized and continuous development happening for every person and the culture is one of learning.

If your team needs more help growing itself to the next level, or your want help building a better growth environment, check out the industry-specific resources available at www.GrowTheBench.com. TTA members are invited to connect with Neal at neal@growthebench.com

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