Cross-cutting a fallen tree

Today we got around to cutting up another tree that vfell in the heavy winds we had earlier this month.

It was quite a tricky task and I performed it under the guidance of our head greenkeeper who has over 15 years of experience with chainsaws.

Included here is a closeup of two chainsaws each with a different drive system.  On the left is a sprocket and on the right is a rim and spline drive.

The reason I included these photos is because during today's task the chain brake broke on one of the saws. You can see this in the area that is circled on the photo. This brake is a vital safety feature on the saw and will prevent major harm to an operator if tge saw kicjs back.

Curative Fusarium measures

Today the greens on the course were all sprayed with Instrata fungicide.  

Pedestrian bridge replacement

Today we replaced two of the sleeper bridges with a more modern and grippier alternative, this being fibreglass grating. These come in standard sizes and are easily cut to size with a circular saw fitted with a diamond tip cutting disk.

Fungicide application

Last week Monday we sprayed the greens with Eland however this week there is still some strong signs of disease (Fusarium) on one of the greens.

I was informed by our head greenkeeper that the shorter daylight period in combination with the turf constantly being covered with dew is what encourages the fungus to grow do strongly.

Mushrooms in the rough

Cutting the deep-rough

This week we started cutting all the deep-rough areas with a flail mower. This practice maintains the grassland areas and the head greenkeeper mentioned to me today that it also encurages wildflower growth.

Removal of rootball and reinstatement of bridge

Today we removed the rootball of the fallen tree and and at the instruction of our head greenkeeper we placed it in an area a fair distance out of play and hidden from the fairways.  This could potentially create a valuable habit fot beetles, reptiles and other organisms too.

As seen in the pictures, we also repaired the damaged bridge just in time for the weekend however we still need to repair the damaged tar pathway.

Re-laying turf after drainage installation

After a week of open trenches we are finally re-laying the turf and closing the trenches. Notice how the turf is intentionally laid higher than ground level in order to allow for any settling of the material that was placed in the trenches. Ideally after some time these mounds will settle to the same level as the ground beside them.

Fallen tree

Yesterday we had some strong winds on the course and unfortunately one of the old oak trees alongside the 11th green was blown over. Fortunately though the tree didn't fall directly onto the green and the apron and surrounds took most of the impact.

As you will see in the pictures, tge pathway bridge sustained some damage caused by the root ball that lifted.

Two of us managed to remove all but the rootball today with much chainsaw cutting, chipping, raking and blowing

Drainage installation

Drainage ditches

Today we cleared out one of the drainage ditches that was a little blocked. As can be seen in the pictures, the clearing was rather aggressive.

All plant remnants were removed and the walls of the ditch were made almost vertical.  These steep walls make the waterway inaccessible to amphibians and the removal of vegetation possibly reduces habitat.

Stump-grinding

When felling trees it is sometimes necessary to remove the remaining tree stump. This task is carried out by using a stump-grinder.

Although this is a time consuming process, as the stump is removed in small increments, it us largely effective in that no new shoots will grow as there will be no stump left over.

Flower beds

Today we removed all the spent geraniums from the gardens at the clubhouse.

These were easily removed by hand.  Then the flower beds were raked clear of any dead leaves,  turned over with a garden fork and raked level.

Tree maintenance

We are systematically going around the course and pruning all the trees that are in need. The goals of tge exercise are to remove any dead woodvand lift the crowns so machinery can drive beneath and so that when golfers land in the rough then they might still have a shot at the green without further penalty caused by low branches.

The one picture shows how a remaining stump has been cut into with the chainsaw. This is done to prevent regrowth of the unwanted tree and the idea is that water should be able to stand on the stump and encourage it to rot.