Page 10 - GreenMaster Winter 2023

uCOVER STORYuJEFF BABICH, SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT, CITY OF CALGARY GOLF COURSES, CERTIFIED ARBORIST
Getting to
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they disrupt hard surfaces such as pathways or retaining walls. In general, while they are necessary for healthy trees, roots often have a negative impact in the golf course environment.
One of the tools we have in our arsenal to be more environmentally friendly is to root prune. There are several different kinds and methods of root pruning. There is selective root pruning, where the root structure is exposed by digging, a hydrovac unit, or air spading to carefully select the best roots to remove and where to remove them. This is rarely used in the golf industry due to the time and labour required. There is the selective pruning of Stem Girdling Roots, which should happen whenever seen above grade, but again, not a frequent practice on golf courses and is deserving of its own discussion.
The main method used on golf courses is considered Nonselective Root Pruning and is achieved either by manual excavation or inserting cutting units into the soil to sever the roots below the surface. This is the method that will be focussed on for this article.
ROOT PRUNING METHODS
As Golf Course Superintendents, we have several options available to us to assist in the management of tree roots and their negative effects.
One of the older, more tried and true methods, is using a trench digging implement to dig a 15-30 cm trench to sever the roots. The benefits of this method are that you can control the depth you want to
Clear example of the potential benefit of root pruning on a golf course.
We’ve all seen the pictures of root pruning, and the drastic improvement it
can create regarding turf quality. The never-ending battle for water and nutrients in the subsurface growing environment will hinder the growth and success of both trees and grass. Well established trees tend to have a dense mass of roots that may outcompete grass for moisture and nutrients. For an example, observe the southeast areas of Spruce trees when water is scarce. As Golf Course Superintendents, tree roots ultimately force us to apply more water, more nutrients, and more pesticides in the effort to create a consistent playing surface for golf. There are many approaches to tree root management on golf courses. This article will examine the various methods, what to do when preparing a root pruning plan, actions to be taken during the actual pruning, and how to ensure the best results after the practice has been completed.
WHEN IS ROOT PRUNING REQUIRED
Root pruning is generally required where established trees have grown roots into adjacent infrastructure to the point of causing economic harm. In golf, this can translate to several negative situations. Tree roots can outcompete turf, causing density loss. Surface roots can cause an inconsistent, even dangerous playing surface, leading to damaged maintenance equipment or even breaking that member’s new 6 iron. Roots can grow and expand to the point where
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