TREE MANAGEMENT

Since trees are the primary source of shade, good tree management practices are essential to minimize shade problems. The decline of turf growing under trees may occur gradually over a number of years. As trees grow their canopies become wider, denser, and their roots increase mass and spread. Consider removing trees and shrubs, which do not contribute meaningfully to the landscape design. Pruning tree limbs, which grow at heights below eight to ten feet, can often improve the amount of morning and afternoon sunlight reaching the turf substantially. Selective thinning of the tree canopy itself will allow more photo synthetically useful light to penetrate to the turf. Planting of shallow rooted trees such as willow, silver maple, cottonwood, sweetgum should be avoided reducing the nutrient and water deficits due to root competition as well as to avoid future impediments in mowing.