Root Pruning

In the middle of November we began a week long root pruning program. 

Tree roots compete with grass for nutrients and water.  In most cases, the grass is the eventual loser.  The result is weak or thin turf.  The back of 15 green is an excellent example of this.  The huge oak tree between the green and the road has roots stretching well into the playing surface.  So, this fall we decided to trench between the green and the oak (see the pic below).  We then stapled a root barrier called Biobarrier to the wall of the trench.  The Biobarrier is a geotextile fabric that has herbicides nodules on it.  When the roots come in contact with herbicide they are forced away from the fabric.  The fabric is guaranteed for 15 years. 

While we used the trencher in a few key areas, the vibratory plow was used the most to accomplish the root pruning.  The plow is basically a long blade that is vibrated rapidly as the machine pulls it through the ground.  The tree roots the plow comes in contact with are then severed.  With little surface disruption, compared to trenching, we were able to move quickly throughout the course.   

Areas without the the root barrier will need to be root pruned again within 2 to 4 years.