tree removal in heavily shaded area Cancel The title field is required!

1. Andrew Bucceri

   

   3 posts
   
   1/29/2021 12:01 PM

   Looking for some input on tree removal for a native soil push-up green complex.  My course is close to Atlantic City, NJ.  I have a lot of worthless pitch and yellow pines near a green cut out of the Pinelands.  I can't remove everything but I need to do enough to create 3 mph windspeed of prevailing wind down at the level of the turf, especially during the stress months of May-Sept.   Already done so much on my own but it never seems to be enough.  This past year we did 2 core aerations (spring & fall) and topdressed with my own equipment.  Next, I had 3/4" solid Verti-Drain service done and then topdressed again.  Then in the fall we did Drill & Fill at depth of 12" with 3/4" drill bits.  Of course I verti-cut too and kept blades sharp and managed water.  How much tree removal will it take??  Also, getting a fan is just too expensive for us as a 9 hole course.  And I have to watch to not remove so many trees that golfers may be vulnerable to very errant shots.

   
   
   
   
2. Jonathan Burke

   

   2 posts
   
   2/3/2021 1:02 PM in reply to Andrew Bucceri

   Andrew- I have some experience with tree removal and airflow. The Verti-drain , drill and fill and core aerations are all great agronomic practices but aren't going to solve your airflow problem. Start with taking down any trees that are dead or pose a safety risk. This can easly be justified to your owner/membership. Next try to remove trees that are blocking that critical morning sun in June-August. Typically those on the east- south east side. There are apps on your smartphone like sunseeker that can help identify them. Problem isnt going to solve itself overnight. its going to take a few years.
   Don't give up the idea of a fan. It can be a game changer. I used a Honda quiet generator and a 30" Patterson fan with an occelator was the most economical/flexible set up. 

   
   
   
   
3. Andrew Bucceri

   

   3 posts
   
   2/3/2021 8:02 PM in reply to Jonathan Burke

   Thanks for the reply, Jonathan.  I do have an app called Sun Locator Lite.  I don't have much experience with it,  probably because i am not too familiar with  how it works.  Do I use the camera function in the app to find the trees to be removed on the east - south east side to gain more morning sun??  Can you give me a vendor name or supplier for where you bought the Honda quiet generator and the Patterson fan??  And how much was all that??  When I priced out the Precision fan with oscillator, even without running all the wire and buying an engine and trailer with it, the total was around $15,000.  I am the owner and superintendent of my 9 hole reg.-length course.  And with all the constant rising costs and $12/hr min. wage that is a hefty bill to absorb.  Do you use that fan with the generator every day during the stress months of the summer??  Is the generator fuel efficient??

   
   
   
   
4. Jonathan Burke

   

   2 posts
   
   2/4/2021 7:02 AM in reply to Andrew Bucceri

   We had the same issue with the precision fan being cost prohibitive.  27 hole property and we had 5 fan set ups.
   We used a Honda EU3000iS Quiet generator. We purchased it from a local distributor in Connecticut but you can get it on line for $2500. Used it almost daily Memorial day through Labor day. Got into a routine of fueling and turning on the fan in the AM. Shutting off around 6PM due to noise ordinances. Had to buy a safety box and lock so the generator wouldn't dissapear. We found uses for the generators when they werent powering the fans. 
   
   As for the phone app there may be a overhead function like google earth that can focus on the  green site. there is another functon with the camera that shows the path of the sun on the day and time that you choose. If an tree is blocking the sun in the AM May-September I would consider taking it down.
   
   Ordered fans directly online with Patterson fan. Bought the 30" 1 HP 12000 CFM fan with mounting bracket and ocillating atachment. Mounted on a 4x4. fan was brought in and stores September -May.  Purchased the fans 10 years ago. Recall the price to be about $3500 for the set up. 
   
   Any additional sunlight or airflow you can get to the green is benificial. it may not be perfect but even the slightest change will help.

   
   
   
   
5. Andrew Bucceri

   

   3 posts
   
   2/4/2021 11:02 AM in reply to Jonathan Burke

   thanks for all that info.  I think i can work with the app better now.  But the main problem is it doesn't let me set the time and date I want without having to upgrade and pay.  I know you said sunseeker but when i put that in the app store search it comes up with different names.  which one is really free where i can see the path of the sun at any time and date that I want??  Luckily, I have been studying this area for years and I pretty much know where the sun comes up and then sets in the p.m. 

   
   
   
   
6. John Emerson

   

   2 posts
   
   12/29/2021 11:12 AM in reply to Andrew Bucceri

   I’m not sure about the spatial issue with errant golf balls at your particular course, but I can tell you that the research has clearly demonstrated that dense tree complexes, at times, create a higher probability of being hit than open air without trees.  It seems counterintuitive, but what happens is that trees block the ability for the golfers to see incoming shots.and react accordingly.