Tree roots within our turf areas have at times been an issue and still continue to give us problems on certain holes around both courses. Every year during renovations we inevitably uncover more, posing a risk to playability. The management issues we are faced with include mower damage and soil moisture loss which leaves us with nutritional issues affecting turf surfaces.
We have recently taken possession of a new machine called a Verti-Quake or a root pruner. The machine has been used on both courses over a number of holes and works by slicing through the soil at a depth of 300mm and simply slicing the tree roots at 2 different points 200mm apart.
The disruption to the surface is very minimal as seen in the picture. Under the surface on the other hand you can see and feel the force in which the machine fractures the soil not only slicing tree roots but de-compacting areas as it moves along. This secondary de-compacting action will be useful for us as we will be looking to use the machine on a number of high traffic areas, fairways, tees or surrounds to fracture the sub soil and allow for greater root penetration and water movement.
Rowan Daymond
Assistant Course Superintendent