Woodlake Country Club

Dear Woodlake Country Club Members:

We would like to inform you about upcoming tree removal to be done on the golf course.  This process is necessary on many fronts, and we will explain them below.

Increasing Sunlight – Turf needs the proper amount of sunlight at the right times to be healthy.  The most important sunlight of the day for healthy turf occurs in the first three hours after sunrise.  Obviously, for many reasons, not all turf can get this most important sunlight.  We will be removing trees with this in mind.  Some of the removed trees will allow for earlier sunlight and some will allow for a longer period of sunlight throughout the day. 

A perfect example of this is the practice putting green.  We will be removing some trees between the practice putting green and the first tee (which will allow earlier sunlight to the green) and also a few trees between the practice putting green and the ninth green (which will allow for more sunlight to the practice green throughout the day). 

Increasing Air Flow and Air Circulation – Turf needs air and air flow to be healthy.  Poor air flow and circulation can cause disease and also higher root zone moisture which can cause turf grass plants to decline.  Air flow will allow soil to dry out and increase evapotranspiration.

Examples of these areas will be the seventh and tenth fairways.  Trees will be removed to create air flow and help dry two of our wetter fairways.

Dangerous Trees – Trees have a certain lifespan depending on the type of tree, the environment, weather history, and damage by insects and animals.  We have many trees that need to be removed due to poor health. 

The tree removal will compliment the tree pruning that has already begun and will continue throughout the year.  We want healthy trees, healthy turf grass, and a well conditioned golf course.  To manage this, we have to make hard but correct decisions.  We hope that this letter helps you to understand our thought process and the reasons behind the tree removal.  We will attempt to be minimally disruptive and clean up the debris as quickly as possible.  Thank you for your consideration, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Jim Strutton                                                                         Rick Durham