We survived the Polar Vortex! We dropped down to -7 F at our weather station. This almost certainly will be the lowest temperature for the winter this year and it is above our threshold of -10 F for zone 6. However, it is close enough that we may have some damage on tender plants for this region such as southern magnolias, crape myrtles, azaleas, and butterfly bushes. Only time will tell.
Despite the recent winter weather, the grounds department has remained busy with winter projects. Tree work is going along smoothly, with most of the dead/dying trees scheduled to be removed already cut down. Many of these dying trees were Austrian pines and Scots pines that have been infected with a fungal disease called diplodia tip blight. These two trees are the most susceptible hosts to this disease. The disease starts at the tips of the branches of these evergreens with the needles turning brown. It quickly spreads to the rest of the plant, especially during wet weather, and eventually kills the entire tree. There are now only a few of these pines left on the course and they all will eventually succumb to this disease. During the recent cold snap, three pin oak trees on the right side of 7 fwy were taken down (by Gregory Forrest Lester) as well as an ash tree on the right side of 1 fwy that had the emerald ash borer. The pin oaks on 7 fwy had much damage from the recent ice storm; one also had damage from a lighting strike, and two out of the three trees were starting to encroach into the fairway. The tree company also pruned low branches and dead limbs out of 10 pin oaks located throughout the course.
 |
Pine tree with early onset of diplodia tip blight (photo from another course)
|
 |
| cutting down dying black locust tree |
 |
Internal decaying problem indicated by mushroom growth on the trunk
|
 |
| Pin oaks removed by 7 fwy left us with a lot of cleanup work |
Pruning of dead and low lying limbs has also taken place throughout this winter. Many of our white pine trees have a significant amount of dead stubs that we have been pruning out. Other projects that we have been working on include: widening of the cart path by 4 tee, attending turf seminars, course cleanup, making instant programs on the lynx irrigation system to help with watering efficiency, seasonal staff recruitment, and beginning to dormant seed areas of the rough.
 |
| white pines by #4 tee limbed up for foot traffic and better sunlight exposure for the turf by 3 cart path |
 |
| cart path expanded by #4 tee. black top to be added when warmer |
 |
white pines on #7, stubs pruned out
|
 |
| Tri-state Green Industry Expo trade show |
 |
| Tri- state Green Industry Expo seminar |
 |
| Instant fairway program for dry spots on toro lynx |
As we enter the last leg of winter and into early spring, I think it is important to touch base on winter play and course conditions. There are four main reasons why the course may be closed or delayed during the winter months. They are frost, frozen ground, thawing ground, and very wet conditions. Frost and frozen ground can cause significant damage to the turf when walked or driven on. Thawing ground can cause root damage from foot traffic when the top layer of the soil is thawed and the lower layer is still frozen. Any traffic during this scenario will break the roots in between the two layers. Wet ground is much more common this time of year from heavy rainfall, low evapotranspiration rates, and the dormancy of the turf. (prohibiting any water uptake). Walking on highly saturated soil will cause deep footprints that will create craters and unevenness especially prevalent on putting greens. For more information on winter play
click on this informative article by the USGA .
 |
Cart traffic damage from driving over frozen turf
|
 |
| Ball marks slow to heal during bentgrass winter dormancy |
Brad Piecuch
Assistant Superintendent/Horticulturist
