January 31, 2025
Recent Club Newsletters and Annual Reports have included updates on Poplar tree removal. This outline provides more background and detail, to better understand the process, the reason for removal, and what to expect in the next 3-5 years.
Poplar trees serve a purpose as fast-growing trees that can quickly frame a course layout in a matter of 10-20 years. But rapid growth comes with a massive shallow root systems that compete with everything around them. Poplar roots extend under the surface at 2-3 times the height of the tree, with enough strength to ruin cart paths, roadways, and concrete foundations. Between the shade above ground, and roots below the surface, fairways and greens struggle to compete.
Poplar trees at SGCC were planted in the 1960’s and have a life expectancy of 50-60 years. In 2017, there were nearly 600 Poplar trees on the property, with 80% existing on the back nine. At the time, about 20% were already beginning to die.
In 2018, our maintenance crew removed 24 Poplar trees down the left side of 16
th hole. Many recall the 16
th hole as having thin fairway grass with exposed roots, and the annual patching required to keep the green playable Since then, the fairway has improved immensely, and the green has not needed any sod patching since.
In 2020, Poplars were removed behind the 15
th green, and then in 2022, next to the 13
th green. Both projects resulted in a noticeable improvement of green surfaces and surrounds.
In January 2023, we reported on a plan to begin taking 50-60 Poplar trees down annually. That spring, trees were removed near the 11
th, 12
th, and 17
th greens, both sides of the 18
th hole, and in several spots on the front nine. A mild November and December in 2023 allowed for a line of poplars to be removed down the left side of the 14
th hole.
Favorable weather has allowed our crews to clear most of the debris before the course opens. Stump grinding, and final clean-up often continues into the summer as it competes with other duties. The planting of new trees happens as soon as time permits, and care will be taken in selecting trees and planting locations to avoid problems with overshading, and roots again in the future.
Articles on Poplars often say they don’t die as slowly and gracefully as other trees. The numbers clearly show that the rapid decline, and the need to continue removing trees at least at the current pace. Around 431 Poplars remained as of last October, with 247 around 60% identified as dead or dying, compared to around 25% just 3 years ago.
SGCC staff removed 24 trees in November last year along the 15
th hole near the maintenance yard. Contractors have been working through mild January weather to remove the Poplar trees on the 13
th hole. Pictures below are of the trees on hole #13 taken as they were removed. All have dying limbs with black patches of peeling bark, and most have limbs with no bark at all which indicates death of that limb some time ago. Some will remember yellow caution tape for a few days last summer, as a few trees on Hole #13 had to be removed removed in-season.
Poplar trees have framed the course for decades, and when the healthy limbs leaf-out in the spring, they often appear to be in reasonably good shape. But a closer look (particularly in the winter) exposes a problem that declining rapidly. Dying and dead limbs are a safety risk at any time, and any serious windstorm would result in widepread damage.
Poplars on the 13
th hole were selected this year because they are dying fastest and are the largest safety risk. Removing most of the left-side trees up to the 150-yard markers means we can begin underplanting right away. A few will be spared for strategic purposes, but they may not last long. The concern for safety also means we will remove the right-side “approach” Poplar on hole #17. It will be replaced with something new, but obviously a lot smaller to start.
Considering the work so far, the visually drastic changes seem to have been embraced. Members don’t miss the poplar fuzz and sticky buds in the spring or searching for balls among the leaves in the fall. and over time, turf improvement and better playing conditions are appreciated by all.