Eleminating Shade

Several key elements to a quality playing surface is that the surface be firm and dry.  Normally, shaded turf areas tend to hold more moisture and are subject to limited sunlight.  In the example of #7 blue tee below, prior to pruning the trees to the east of the tee, the tee was sparse of turf, damp and in generally poor condition.  Once we pruned the trees and exposed the tee to improved sunlight and air movement, the quality of the tee has dramatically increased. 

The photo above shows the dense tree canopy that shaded the #7 blue tee area

The photo below shows the weakened turf area due to wetness and lack of sunlight.

The photo above exhibits the area adjacent to the #7 blue tee that was cleared to allow sunlight and air movement for the turfgrass

The photo below shows the quality turf resulting from the the improved area.

The photo below is of a heavily shaded area next to #9 red ladies tee.  Sparse turf and dirt occupy the space.

The photo below is of a quality stand of turf after the trees have been pruned allowing for sunlight to access the area.

                              
             The photo below shows the extreme dryness around a group of trees.  The root systems of mature trees can consume hundreds of gallons of water from the subsurface.  Notice here that there is one specimen tree with two less desirable trees in close proximity.  The two less desirable species are using soil moisture at the expense of the desirable tree.  This situation is an example of where the institution of a quality Tree Management Program is helpful.  In the best case scenario, the undesirable tree would be removed so that it does not limit the potential and health of the desirable tree.