Memorializing Trees?

[Joshua Pettit]

Did anyone catch that bit today when Jim Nantz talked about the tree at Medinah where Sergio hit that famous shot from in the 1999 PGA Championship?  Well, unfortunately that tree "in bad health" had to be taken down.

I enjoyed Nantz's narration of the story about the club saving part of the tree as a memorial...to the tree?...or too Sergio's shot?  I wasn't all that clear on that.

I think it's pretty neat when golf courses use the remains of a cool tree (such as a cypress, redwood or oak) to build benches or other accessories.  That's about the only memorialization of golf course trees that I can handle.  

On a somewhat different but related note...Does anyone have experience with clubs that have run into problems after allowing too many trees to be planted as memorials to people?  In theory I like the idea of planting a tree in someone's honor, but not on a golf course.   Inevitably problems will arise when a committee has to decide whether or not to remove a tree that was planted in a terrible spot 20 years ago.  Nobody wants THEIR tree to get axed.  

[JR Potts]

Joshua:

Did you see Tigers drive on 15 yesterday that hit the tree and almost made it on the green?  Well, that's my family's tree.  Two years ago "our tree" was culled....and the policy we put in place to those living members who lost "their tree" was pick any other tree on the property, grab your plaque, a hammer and two nails and go put your plaque on the tree of your choosing.   This took care of most every complaint.

[Ken Moum]

Joshua:

Did you see Tigers drive on 15 yesterday that hit the tree and almost made it on the green?  Well, that's my family's tree.  Two years ago "our tree" was culled....and the policy we put in place to those living members who lost "their tree" was pick any other tree on the property, grab your plaque, a hammer and two nails and go put your plaque on the tree of your choosing.   This took care of most every complaint.

Genius!

The whole idea of memorial trees makes me ill.... because we have some that are already starting to badly interfere with golf.

But this solution is most excellent.  Provided, of course, that the club tries to make sure that no one moves their plaque to a tree likely to be culled in the near future.

K

[Joshua Pettit]

Mr. Potts,

I like that solution!  I did see that shot...what a great story, though it would have been even more classic if Tiger and Stricker had won their match!

[jim_lewis]

I am in complete agreement with Brad Klein, who wrote that the preferred way to honor a friend or relative is to REMOVE a tree in his memory.

[Terry Lavin]

I am in complete agreement with Brad Klein, who wrote that the preferred way to honor a friend or relative is to REMOVE a tree in his memory.

I rather like the idea of a Memorial Stump program. Or perhaps allowing a member to scatter some sawdust. When you examine these memorial trees they are invariably the wrong species planted in the wrong place.

[Brad Klein]

The problem with memorial tree planting programs is that they are never memorial tree management programs tied to golf course management.

Bad enough to have some plaque in the clubhouse designating who gave what for whom and where it stands. far worse are individual plaques on the trees. They should all be reconsidered. I just came from a place where the donors picked the tree species and where they wanted it planted. It's not a bad thing to have a designated area away from the golf holes, such as a dense copse or along the perimeter, where such trees can be planted. But the choice and placement of such decisions should never be made by individual golfers/members. The line I always use, referred to above by Jim Lewis, is that "if you really love someone, donate $100 and have a spruce or pine tree removed in their name."

[Tom_Doak]

Josh:

We have worked with many clubs that had memorial trees and they are a big problem politically, until finally someday the membership gets over them and implements a policy such as Ryan described.  (Sadly, some will insist on planting a NEW TREE somewhere to make up for the one that has to be removed.)

Doing this work at The Country Club of Detroit was pretty interesting, as the names on the trees were all famous names.  I had to remove two trees which were named after members of the Ford family ... and it was impossible for them not to notice since they live in the house across the street!

[SL_Solow]

When asked to institute a program, and after being"instructed" to devise one, we came up with the following plan.  A member could donate $500 to the club and their name would appear on a plaque indicating that they had donated a tree in honor or memory of whoever they chose.  The club would select the tree and the locaton.  It would not be marked and its location would remain unknown.  I confess that we have not had many donors but we also have manged to avoid planting new trees in awkward places and if we have to remove a tree, there will be no unusual issues caused by a memorial.

[BHoover]

The problem with memorial tree planting programs is that they are never memorial tree management programs tied to golf course management.

Bad enough to have some plaque in the clubhouse designating who gave what for whom and where it stands. far worse are individual plaques on the trees. They should all be reconsidered. I just came from a place where the donors picked the tree species and where they wanted it planted. It's not a bad thing to have a designated area away from the golf holes, such as a dense copse or along the perimeter, where such trees can be planted. But the choice and placement of such decisions should never be made by individual golfers/members. The line I always use, referred to above by Jim Lewis, is that "if you really love someone, donate $100 and have a spruce or pine tree removed in their name."

Brad, I thought your suggestion that the best way to memorialize a loved one would be to remove a tree in their name was both spot-on and hilarious.  Thanks again for speaking to our members this week.  It was a fascinating discussion.  While it remains to be seen how the older members will view it, many of the younger members (myself included) are in complete agreement with your analysis. 

[ChipOat]

I'm part of the "remove trees" crowd.

[Tommy Williamsen]

As someone who knows a little about memorials I can speak to the subject.  Churches are built by memorials, whether it is for the altar, the pulpit, the organ, or the stained glass windows.  When we built our present church I made it a policy to have a memorial plaque in the narthex rather than on the objects.  No one was upset by this at all.  When we wanted to make a change to one of the memorials nothing changed because the memorial was still on the plaque.  When the name is on the object itself it takes on a special and, if you will, a spiritual meaning because the object becomes a visible reminder of the person memorialized. Most of the time folks just want some special acknowledgment of the deceased family member or friend. Recognizing that goes a long way in satisfying that need.  Removing a tree in memory of someone generally will not be taken well because there is nothing physical as a reminder. We all have special objects that are dear to us because they remind us of someone special.  I have my Dad's Bible.  Whenever I pass it I am reminded of my Dad and his faith. Clubs just need to be sensitive to people's feelings.

[Howard Riefs]

Joshua:

Did you see Tigers drive on 15 yesterday that hit the tree and almost made it on the green?  Well, that's my family's tree.  Two years ago "our tree" was culled....and the policy we put in place to those living members who lost "their tree" was pick any other tree on the property, grab your plaque, a hammer and two nails and go put your plaque on the tree of your choosing.   This took care of most every complaint.

Your tree kindly saved me from Tiger's errant drive. Thank you.

[BCrosby]

Our club has been removing trees for several years. successfully for the most part. But we recently ran into a problem.

There is a massive oak next to a forward tee that blocks about half the fw from the back tees. We would like to take it out.

On the tree is a faded wooden sign that says "In Memory of [name goes here]". It turns out the woman memorialized is very much alive and would be very happy to have the tree removed. The sign is there to commemorate her losing a 9 stroke lead on this, her final hole in the woman's club championship 25 years ago. Under the spreading branches of the beautiful old oak she hit seven straight drives into a nearby pond, taking a 14 or something on her final hole.

We have run up against massive member resistance to doing anything with the tree. So it looks like it will stay for the freseeable future.

Bob

[Mark Bourgeois]

Replace the sailboat with sunshine and healthy grass and republish "The Giving Tree" as "The Golf Tree." Give every member a copy and problem solved.

Next!

[Mike McGuire]

The problem with memorial tree planting programs is that they are never memorial tree management programs tied to golf course management.

Bad enough to have some plaque in the clubhouse designating who gave what for whom and where it stands. far worse are individual plaques on the trees. They should all be reconsidered. I just came from a place where the donors picked the tree species and where they wanted it planted. It's not a bad thing to have a designated area away from the golf holes, such as a dense copse or along the perimeter, where such trees can be planted. But the choice and placement of such decisions should never be made by individual golfers/members. The line I always use, referred to above by Jim Lewis, is that "if you really love someone, donate $100 and have a spruce or pine tree removed in their name."

As I recall the original quote by BK added somewhere / at the end?  "$200 for a willow"

[Pete_Pittock]

A different solution is to find a species which requires no maintenance and will not grow. This is submitted from the 18th greenside of the Fazio course at Pronghorn. The ghost juniper.

[Kris Shreiner]

Trees and a memorial program can have their place in a golf course setting...it just can't be in the wrong places(S). Any tree management program with a memorial component to it should be carefully thought out, with the consulting architect and facility arborist partner providing solid counsel as to what would serve as a sound approach.

Those contributing to such a program need to realize that if the course is re-done in future, the specimen may go. The idea of contributing to the ongoing maintenance of the tree canopy as a whole on the facility is also an option, with their name(s) on a commemorative plaque, noting their participation, prominently displayed. As the less is more tree mantra continues to win converts, I'd imagine the latter effort would become more popular and serve a better purpose for the benefit of all invloved, including the trees!

Cheers,
Kris