TREE CARE
are very influential in the overall success of the plantings . At a minimum , these factors should be taken into consideration when specimens are failing . The better approach would be to take a proactive stance and consider each of the specific needs of the plants and match them with the site conditions , noting where discrepancies exist .
The turf is king Let ’ s face it ; in the overall sense , we ’ re talking about the care and function of sports fields . As such , turfgrass health , vigor and performance must always be the most important factor and focus of attention by a sports field manager . Yes , in many situations , trees , shrubs and other plants are a part of the overall landscape , but keeping the turf as the number one element provides a valuable perspective and is instructive when it comes to the maintenance of ornamentals .
Many examples of turfgrass vs . trees / shrubs can and should be considered . Perhaps the most obvious is the shade produced by trees . If a tree casts a heavy shade on a field , it ’ s depriving the field of an essential input . Both quality ( the intensity ) and quantity ( number of hours received ) of sunlight are influential . Other considerations include the time of day and direction that shade is cast . A tree on the south side of the field will provide a greater reduction in the amount and intensity of light received by the turfgrass than one on the east side .
The tree itself , in terms of the canopy density and actual shade pattern is a consideration as well . Oaks and maples produce much denser shade than honeylocust and eucalyptus . Shorter trees – such as Japanese tree lilac , crabapple and hawthorn – may provide visual relief and screening with minimal shading effects on the turf .
Turfgrass functions themselves are impacted by the
A great candidate for regular condition assessment .
presence of trees . Bermudagrass , zoysiagrass , tall fescue , perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass all differ in terms of their need for sunlight . When turfgrass experiences shade stress , the cell walls become thinner and the leaf blades elongate . This leads to a downward spiral in many cases , with higher than optimal humidity ; reduced root growth in favor of shoot production ; and a greater susceptibility to diseases such as stem rust , powdery mildew , brown patch , leaf spots and pink snow mold . Regular disease scouting is recommended under these circumstances .
A more subtle , but equally important , consideration is the competition for moisture and nutrients . When placed closely to the sports field , trees often cast excessive shade , but also develop roots that extend into the turfgrass area . Of course , each tree species ( as well as individual specimens
Combined with hardscape structures , trees can provide much needed shade .
Again , note the percentage of tree roots covered by asphalt or concrete .
16 SportsField Management | October 2021 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com