The Root of the Problem Managing Tree Encroachment By Mark Rehder, S&S Tree
Famous trees are synonymous with famous golf courses; the Big Oak at Augusta clubhouse, the Lone Cypress at Pebble Beach #18, and locally, the Oak at Keller #4, to name a few. Then there are those trees that are still legends even though they have succumbed to the chain saw for one reason or another. Like the Live Oak near the tee box at TPC Sawgrass #6 that was leaning and cracked, the Eisenhower Loblolly Pine that was storm damaged, or the mighty Elm at Winged Foot East that died of disease. On rare occasions golfers will try to remove trees on their own terms, like the Lone Fir at Chambers Bay that was vandalized. The fact remains that trees and golf courses do not always make for good bed fellows and
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can get attention for all the wrong reasons. In the case of superintendent Brian Boll of North Oaks Golf Club, it is large trees near greens that can cause irregularities in moisture and result in inconsistent roll speeds. Removing these trees is usu-