[Ran Morrissett]

As Bob Randquist did with his 45 page treatise on bunkers, so now goes Dunlop White on the subject of tree management.

Dunlop’s effort as presented here took him over one year (ONE YEAR) to compile and present. In addition, Dunlop’s active involvement at a couple of his clubs helped him refine his paper with an eye toward real life club situations/politics.

As Dunlop notes, trees aren’t readily tied to the origins of the game. In fact, early architects were leery of trees as they blocked the wind, served to ease depth perception problems, created grass growth issues, etc.

In more recent times, leadership clubs like Oakmont, NGLA and Garden City have realized that thick strands of trees are one of the most BORING hazards possible as they reduce the chance for skill and imagination to produce a spectacular recovery.

Hopefully, reading Dunlop’s piece on tree management will give you the impetus to make a difference at your home club, just as Dunlop has at his.

Because of its length, Dunlop’s Feature Interview is broken into two parts with Part I posted tonight and Part II posted on Friday. However, Part II can be accessed via a link at the end of Part I, should you wish to keep reading this evening rather than watch UNC thrash Illinois  

Cheers,

[Pete Buczkowski]

I had the privilege of meeting Dunlop and reading a draft of his tree thesis in the middle of last year.  It was a wonderful eye opening experience for this neophyte golf architecture enthusiast.  I learned more about golf course design in five hours with him then I learned on my own in three months.  Congrats to him for his successful writing and thanks for helping to educate all of us.

OK now on to the festivities...

[mike_malone]

 Dunlop's writings are extremely important. They have been very helpful to me.

[Kyle Harris]

I am surprised at the lack of mention of non-native and invasive species. Though that could be coming in the second part.

I am often surprised at how many trees on golf courses are of this variety and to me, that seems to be justification for removal.

[Dunlop_White]

Many thanks, Ran, Pete, and Mike!

Simple story! In 1997, trees inundated our golf course. I did tons of research and sent a 5 page paper, called "Below the Trees" to Mike Fay. Then, I re-named it, "Shady Trees", added to it, and forwarded an 8 page story to Brad Klein. Thereafter, I refined the research and revised it as "Shady Trees and Heated Club Politics", which was published in Paul Daley's book, "Golf Architecture: A Worldwide Perspective".  With more information and experience in the field, I produced a couple of even larger pieces for Mike Young's website. Today, my "treetise" is over 30 pages long, (even without the "before-and-after" photography). I have re-casted it to fit the questions in these Feature Interviews 1 and 2. Just guessing, but it will probably be even larger in years to come.

[RJ_Daley]

Dunlop, thank you for the excellent work.  These interviews are really the heart of this web site.

[Dunlop_White]

Thanks! The topics are listed below...

1. What was the perception of trees and their role in classical golf course architecture? Quotes!

2. Why are trees so overdone today?

3. Desirable golf course trees vs. low performing ones?

4. Agronomic issues?

5. How have tree plantings and overgrowth negated the strategic playability of golf holes?

6. How helpful is archival material?

7. Provide a couple examples where trees enhance, instead of take away from, the strategic playability of golf holes?

8. How does aesthetic landscaping enhance the beauty of golf courses and promote recovery play?

9. How can they be used to alter perceptions of sizes and distances?

[David Sneddon]

Dunlop:

Enjoyed your paper - instructive and illuminating.

Were there any difficulties encountered from local environmental groups when you were removing the trees???

In Ontario, nearly all counties require  the property owner to obtain a permit from the local municipality prior to removing a tree, far less several dozen or hundreds.  Needless to say, a fee is involved, but more disturbing is that the local environmental group has a say whether your application is approved or not.   This is all done without regard for the playability of the hole/course as proposed by the golf club.

[Dunlop_White]

A removal permit poses a problem -- I bet they don't require a permit to plant?

Thus far, only the superintendent, the architect, and I work together on tree management issues...the only problems have come from select senior members.

Thanks -

[David Sneddon]

A removal permit poses a problem -- I bet they don't require a permit to plant?

Thus far, only the superintendent, the architect, and I work together on tree management issues...the only problems have come from select senior members.

Thanks -

Oh no - no permit required to plant  

You are very fortunate indeed - get the job done quickly before the tree huggers stick their noses into it.

We recently had a case locally where they put a stop to the building of an entire course because trees were to be cut down.  The owner offered to sell them the property so they could have their little preserve, but no - they'd rather force the owner to comply with their wishes on his dime.  Naturally most of their legal fees in the 4 year court fight were subsidized by the taxpayer.

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