Re-Stocking (Tree & Woodland Management)

The Tree & Woodland Management program is not just about tree removal. It is a combination of various strategies to improve the course and to formulate practical locations of where trees can be a benefit to the course, while not impeding on the development of the finer turf areas.

This winter we plan to re-stock with over 30 trees in various locations to offset against some of the larger specimens removed. These are all native trees and have been selected to add a diverse and attractive appearance for both aesthetic and wildlife benefits.

33 trees have been selected and these are:

6x Betula Pendula birch

5x Carpinus Betulus hornbeam

5x Acer campestre field maple

5x sorbus aria whitebeam

3x Alnus alder

3x Prunus avium cherry

3x Fagus sylvatica

3x Quercus robur

These trees will be planted in due course

End of Year Update 2015

This year has been another unpredictable year and particularly this winter. No hard frosts to date and unusually mild conditions which has very rarely seen temperatures drop into single figures.With these conditions comes the risk of very high disease pressure. Many other Clubs have suffered severely in these conditions, fortunantely we have managed to contain any aggressive outbreaks to a minimum.
We believe this is all due to a combination of our pro-active management which includes preventative fungicide applications, assisted by practical methods of regular aeration, greens maintenance (hollow-coring), and by increasing levels of sunlight and air movement across the fine turf areas through our woodland management. All of these methods help to compliment each other and it is essential that these practises are continuously maintained for the future sustainability of the Club. Their are many positives to be highlighted during this mild period. Although there are many unsightly marks from machinery and golfer traffic, we have managed to keep most areas completely free of leaves and the need to use temporary greens or to close the course has not yet been required.

All in all another succesful year with many improvements just adding onto those already just a thing of the past. Before these changes become just a part of LPGC's history, lets remind ourselves of some of the highlights and improvements of 2015.

New Practice Nets

The Loggery 

Greens Maintenance / Hollow-Coring

Dry Rainge Practice Area

Tree & Woodland Management

Visitor

A new visitor has been seen recently admiring the wonderful surroundings at LPGC.

Tree & Woodland Management update

This years Tree & Woodland Management has begun. While still waiting for the oak trees to start dropping  their leaves, the opportunity was taken to proceed with this years work as approved by the London Borough of Bromey. 

Work started on the 16th by the tee. 

Three dead silver birches were also removed on the perimeter under safety concerns.

Work then shifted over to the 10th tee and the veteran oak beside the White medal tee. The central stem was showing  signs of decay and as it overhung the tee, safety became an issue as well as prolonging the life of the veteran oak. 

The central stem was removed to a point of safety and just above a young limb to encourage new growth.

The next location was the 2nd tee. A second phase of tree removal to reduce shading across the tee from the south side was undertaken.

Two trees on the left of the tee in close proximity were also removed. These two trees had phototropism characteristics and would only impact on the tee in future years if they were left to increase in size.

Dry Rainge

As part of the long terms plans to develop the course to attract and retain members, the practice facilities have been identified as an area in particular need of investment and improvement.

Phase One of this is to install a Dry Rainge canopy on a properly constructed base, to allow practicing and teaching on the 17th even during inclement weather.

The initial start of the project was to identify a suitable location. The small woodland behind the current practice area was chosen which would require the removal of some small trees to accommodate the structure. Planning permission and approval was granted by the London Borough of Bromley to proceed.

Tree removal and digging out of tree stumps.

Getting levels on the initial base.

The Dry Rainge canopy requires points at which to anchor it to the ground. The anchor points which would eventually be filled with concrete were built using planks remaining from the lake edging carried out two years prior. The same planks were also used to build the surrounding framework of the entire base.

The finishing of the raised base was back filled with localised material on the course. Some of this was taken from the far right of the mounds in front of the 17th tee. This part of the mound was removed to allow machinery to pass down through the rough, rather than continuously drive around the corner of the mound in the left by the fairway.

Hollow-cores from the recent greens maintenance work gently mixed with some grass seed topped off the finished base.

When the base was completed it was time to have the Dry Rainge canopy erected. The canopy was erected by the company who supplied it and fitted into place with brackets anchored to points drilled into the concrete footings.

Dry Rainge Project Complete