IDLEWILD TREE & BEAUTIFICATION FUND MARCH
2016
The
Idlewild Tree & Beautification Fund is and has been instrumental in the
continued improvement of the overall aesthetic beauty of the club. Monies from the fund are used to address
current issues and/or improve different areas of the clubhouse and golf
course. Winter tree work encompasses
about 60-70% of the fund and the remaining is used to renovate landscaping,
purchase new trees, and purchase tree related equipment. Projects such as the renovation of the front entrance,
tee box landscaping, and the work performed along Butterfield Creek are just
some examples of the progress that has been made in the past through the use of
the Tree & Beautification Fund.
As
stated above, a majority of the fund is used for tree work. With a tree inventory of over 1800 trees a
lot of foresight is needed in dealing with the Emerald Ash Borer, which has
continued to ravage the Ash tree population.
With over 20% of our total population within the Ash tree family; it
will require multiple years of removals to get this issue behind us. The winter tree work was a success with over
70 infected trees removed. The numerous
wind/snow storms highlighted the large need for pruning of trees as well based
on the amount of debris that has fallen from these storms. The objective will be to continue to move
forward with removals while addressing any safety issues first and
foremost. With so many trees within our
borders, we could stand to lose a few trees and that would make a lot of
golfers happy but at the same time we need to be vigilant in the replacement of
priority trees that affect playability of the course in a positive way and/or
serve as protection from the errant golf shot.
Butterfield
Creek will see some attention as we continually try to improve the visual
appearance through tree removals and the addition of colorful landscape
plantings in higher traffic areas. This
serves many benefits such as creek bank stabilization and increased air circulation
to the turf in these areas.
The
Tree Memorial Program is a great opportunity for a member to honor someone and
at the same time serve a valuable purpose to the great course we all love. With the new tree planting, a bronze plaque
will be installed at the base of the tree designation the tree as a Memorial
Tree. I look forward to the positive
affect that I believe the Memorial Tree Program can have on both the golf
course and in celebrating someone special.
In
closing, as the Golf Course Superintendent I truly appreciate the support of
these two programs as they allow Idlewild Country Club to continue to move
forward with respects to continued improvements in all areas of the club. Thank you for your support!
Respectfully submitted,
Kurt Sams, CGCS
