Along with all members, I received the following email today from our Course Manager, Warwick Manning. To say I am delighted with the direction the club is taking in this regard would be an understatement.
Dear Duncan,
THE NEED FOR WOODLAND MANAGEMENT
I am aware that woodland management is an emotive issue. Consequently, it was a prudent decision that in association with the Centenary Project, Jonathan Gaunt (Cavendish Golf Course Architect) was asked to produce a plan that identified the significant existing tree cover, and give recommendations for action with regard to their management.
Cavendish was laid out on a fantastic moorland canvas, and has many original mature trees which were part of the early design concept. It is imperative that we now make every effort to return the landscape back more closely to its original moorland character.
In the past tree planting at Cavendish has occurred on an ad hoc basis, without much consideration being given to the subsequent size of the tree and their effect on turf grass health and sward density.
Management aims and objectives
• To protect the golfing strategy of each hole by creating sustainable woodland cover. Enhancing the character of individual holes.
• To improve the quality of the grass sward, especially on and around green and tee complex areas.
• To stop encroachment into line of play and improve line of sight issues.
• To expose the more attractive moorland trees.
• To support the development of natural regeneration of tree species and ground flora.
• To encourage sustainable heather re generation in strategic locations.
• To fell and make safe trees identified as unsafe.
The way forward
Cavendish has some magnificent specimen trees and has a definite moorland character. A more open landscape is required to benefit the agronomy of the course so it will dry quicker due to an increase in light and air circulation.
It is often mistakenly thought that trees will solve drainage problems by soaking up water in wet areas. Although trees are high water demanders, short mown grass will normally require more water than a tree. Furthermore, trees will always find the easiest source of water, normally field drains, and will therefore compound drainage problems by creating blockages.
Copses normally require thinning 10 years after planting or once the canopy begins to close.
The removal of stunted stems and those trees of poor form will concentrate future growth on better, more attractive trees, particularly important around greens and tees. This will allow all remaining trees to reach their potential and avoid wind blow.It should be the aim at Cavendish to have a net loss of trees but a net gain in quality. The trees that remain should be the larger moorland species harmonising with the landscape. This will allow a better strategy to be developed without compromising individual hole character.
The next steps
Jonathan Gaunt’s woodland plans must be viewed as a 5 to 10 year project split into strategic phases. With this in mind the first phase will be this winter covering holes 2, 6 &17, and to fit with other renovation work to be carried out on these holes.
To keep costs down the aim is to achieve as much of the work as possible using our own staff, but some specialist external expertise will be required.
The Centenary Project complied by Jonathan Gaunt shows in detail the actual work to be achieved and will be communicated in advance to Cavendish Members.
Kind Regards
Warwick