Tree Management Issues and Inventory and Assessment of Selected trees at

Sunnybrook Country Club


Prepared for:

Prepared by:Robert Wells – BCMA - ASCA - Arboricultural Consultant and EducatorPage 1 of 17

Jason Lubar – ISA Certified Arborist

Morris Arboretum of the U. of PA,

9414 Meadowbrook Avenue,

Philadelphia, PA19118

©2005 Morris Arboretum

The Sunnybrook Tree Committee

Mr. George Cross

Sunnybrook Golf Club

398 Stenton Avenue

PlymouthMeeting, PA19462

Prepared by

Prepared by:Robert Wells – BCMA - ASCA - Arboricultural Consultant and EducatorPage 1 of 17

Jason Lubar – ISA Certified Arborist

Morris Arboretum of the U. of PA,

9414 Meadowbrook Avenue,

Philadelphia, PA19118

©2005 Morris Arboretum

Tree Inventory and Assessment of Selected Trees at Sunnybrook Country Club

Background & Assignment

The 18-hole "Sunnybrook" course at the Sunnybrook Golf Club facility in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania features 6,823 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. Sunnybrook has recently studied sunlight exposure on green and fairwayturf, and has removed trees most of the trees identifiedas being detrimental to turf growing conditions.

Decision makers at Sunnybrook were concerned about tree conditions of strategic trees, and how trees could enhance the golfing experience and be a sustainable feature. To address these tree-related issues,Sunnybrook requested a proposal for professional consulting services from the Urban Forestry Consultants from Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. The proposal, dated 29 October 2007, includeddetermining the conditions of thirty strategic trees and providing tree management recommendations including but not limited to pruning, replanting, feeding, disease control, and removal.

On 27 November 2007, Jason Lubar, Carrie Borgenicht, and Robert Wells from Morris Arboretum’s Urban Forestry Consultants met with George Cross of Sunnybrook’s grounds committee and assessed thirtystrategic trees and examined the landscape to make tree-related recommendations.

findings, discussions and recommendations

  1. Strategic Tree Inventory & Assessment With Recommendations

Tree #1:Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea)

Recommendations: Pruning, monitor and treat for Bacterial Leaf Scorch, reduce mower root damage by keeping grass away from trunk

  • Location:Hole #1 – left side of the fairway
  • Description: This 152” CBH (circumference at breast height) mature 80’ tall tree is at with a 75 foot spread. Slight damage to the roots was observed from mower damage since the turfextends to the tree’s trunk.
  • In-depth recommendations:The grass should be removed (herbicide)to at least two feet away from the trunk and mulch spread to a depth of 2 – 3”. Some of the remaining leaves in the crown look as if they may be exhibiting signs of BLS(Bacterial Leaf Scorch), and so application of Cambistat, which is a growth inhibitor, is advised. There is a small amount of deadwood in the crown,so crown cleaning or pruning isrecommended. This tree has a life expectancy of over 15 years.

Tree #2: Black cherry (Prunus serotina)

Recommendation: Pruning, reduce mower root damage

  • Location: Hole # 1 on the right side at the end near the green and bunker
  • Description: This 65 feet tall tree has three leaders, that which are 110, 68 and 65 inches in circumference respectively. There is a large basal wound where another lead ripped out in the past, but our opinion is that this does not pose an immediate problem.
  • In-depth recommendations: There is deadwood in the crown, and since the tree close to the fairway, pruning is recommended. Support cables may be necessary in the future, but there are no indications that they are needed at this time. As with almost all other trees observed at Sunnybrook, there are signs of mower/root conflicts which can cause declining tree health and be an entryway for disease pathogens. Therefore,removing the turf around the trunk’s base and establishing mulch rings is highly recommended. This tree has a life expectancy of 5 to 15 years. Please note that another Black Cherry, approximately 20 feet away from this tree, is in very poor condition and should be removed.

Tree #3: White ash (Fraxinus americana)

Recommendation: Consider removing this tree

  • Location: Hole # 2 – left hand side half way down the fairway
  • Description: This 144” CBH tree is approximately 65 feet tall with a 68’ spread.
  • In-depth recommendations: This tree is in poor condition. It has a large, low split developed along a co-dominant stem which is in danger of failure in a fairly high use area. There is also many large dead branches in the crown.

Tree #4: White ash (Fraxinus americana)

Recommendation: Prune, reduce mower root damage, monitor for Emerald Ash Borer

  • Location: Hole # 2
  • Description: This tow leader trees has stems of 88” and 79” in circumference respectively, with an overall height of approximately 70 feet and a spread of 65 feet. The co-dominant leads seem to have a strong crotch formation. This tree has a life expectancy of over 15 years.
  • In-depth recommendations: This tree has a slight amount of deadwood

Tree #5: Black cherry (Prunus serotina)

Recommendation: Prune, reduce mower root damage, monitor trunk

  • Location: Hole #3 – on the right side of the fairway
  • Description: This 108” CBH cherry is approximately 65 feet tall with a crown spread of 50 feet. The tree’s trunk has a deformity or buckling from an unknown cause. It has a life expectancy of 5 to 15 years.
  • In-depth recommendations: Remove the deadwood in the crown.

Tree #6: Sweet Cherry (Prunus padus)

Recommendation: Inspect extent of cavity with Resistograph

  • Location: Hole # 3 – left hand side of the fairway
  • Description: This 99” CBH tree is approximately 40 feet high with a spread of 54 feet across
  • In-depth recommendations: This tree has a long trunk crack at the base that may be associated with an internal cavity of unknown extent, as indicated by a hollow resonance when sounded by a rubber mallet. To fully understand the cavity’s extent and how it affect’s the tree’s structural strength, a Resistograph, an instrument that measures the resistance of wood when a 1/8-inch diameter drill bit bores into it, is needed to help quantify the extent of decayed wood.

Tree #7: Black cherry (Prunus serotina)

Recommendation: Prune, reduce mower root damage, monitor cavity.

  • Location: Hole #3 – left hand side of the fairway
  • Description: This 116” CBH tree is approximately 60 feet high with a spread of 47 feet and has a narrow but long cavity at the base.
  • In-depth recommendations: The considerable deadwood in the crown should be removed because of its location is directly over a green.

Tree # 8: Red oak (Quercus rubra)

Recommendation: Consider removal - or- end weight reduction pruning, reduce mower root damage, monitor root system for lifting

  • Location: Hole #3 – left side of the fairway at the end near the green
  • Description: This 130” CBH oak is approximately 55 feet tall with a spread of 69 feet and has a slight lean toward the fairway. We deem this tree hazardous primarily because of the lack of supporting buttress roots on the side of the tree away from the lean. This treehad two leaders in the past, but one failed and was removed, so the remaining lead was not able to develop supportive roots in that location. Although the tree’s trunk and crown are in good condition, there is the possibility that this tree could fail in a strong wind, especially if the ground were waterlogged.
  • In-depth recommendations: If the decision is made to retain this tree, then it would be important to reduce the weight of the crown over the fairway and thus lessen the chance of failure. Also, the tree’s lean should be monitored by measuring it with a digital level and recording the angle using two aluminum nails hammered into the trunk as a measuring location.. .

Tree #9: White Oak (Quercus alba)

Recommendation: No action needed

  • Location: In the Southeast corner of the course near to the start of hole #4
  • Description: This 188” CBH tree is a specimen and should be considered one of the Club’s signature trees. Other than a very old and thin six foot seam on the trunk, this tree is in excellent condition with no apparent defects and only a slight amount of deadwood.

Tree #10: Black walnut (Juglans nigra)

Recommendation: Prune, reduce mower root damage

  • Location: On the right side of the fairway on Hole #4
  • DescriptionThis 99” CBH walnut has a spread of 50 feet and is approximately 50 feet tall. It is in good condition with somedeadwood and some mower root damage. Its life expectancy is over 15 years.

Tree#11:Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

Recommendation: Removal

  • Location: Near the end of the fairway on hole #4 on the right side by the property line
  • Description: This 123” CBH oak is only 35 feet tall with a hazardous dead top. There are lesions on the trunk indicatingPhytopthora,an aggressive fungal disease that will kill the tree. While not on the list of trees to be inspected, we felt it necessary to make note of this situation.

Tree #12:American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)

Recommendation: Pruning, Resistograph testing, monitor trunk condition

  • Location: On the right side of the pathway below hole #5 –over the roadway –by the pond
  • Description: This massive, beautiful tree is a whopping 229” CBH as the trunk has grown somewhat abnormally on the slope. It has a 73 foot spread and is approximately as tall.
  • In-depth recommendations: There is a large piece of deadwood over the pathway that should be removed immediately.There is cankerstain (a fungal disease) in a small area on one side of the trunk. This condition should be monitored, but there is little that can be done to rectify it, anddoes not seem to threaten the tree’s lifespan. Sounding on the trunk and visual inspection indicates a hollow, so it would be worthwhile to use the Resistograph determine the hollow’s extent and impact to the tree’s structural integrity. Overall, this tree appears healthy and has a life expectancy of over 15 years if additional testing determines that the tree is structurally sound.

Tree #13:Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

Recommendation: Prune, reduce mower root damage

  • Location: Hole #6 on the right side of the fairway by the dogleg
  • Description: This 66” CBH tree is approximately 35 feet tall with a spread of 48 feet.
  • In-depth recommendations: This tree has a sizable girdling root which would be difficult to remove and may cause more damage then benefit. It has a crossing branch and a moderate amount of deadwood which should be pruned. It has a life expectancy of over 15 years.

Tree #14: White ash (Fraxinus americana)

Recommendation: Immediate installation of cable and pruning

  • Location: Hole #7 – left side of the fairway near the green
  • Description: This double-leader ash’s stems are each 107” CBH and approximately 60 feet tall with a 56 foot spread.
  • In-depth recommendations:There is a sizeable split between the two co-dominant stems that makes this tree hazardous until a support cable can be installed. One side of this tree is ready to fail. There is also a large amount of deadwood in the crown that should be removed.The twig extension, indicating tree growth from year to year, shows that this tree has been in decline for some time. It is in fair condition with a life expectancy of 5 to 15 years even with the necessary remedial action.

Tree #15: Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

Recommendation: Prune, monitor for BLS

  • Location: Hole #7 – left side of the fairway near the green
  • Description: This 139” CBH oak is approximately 80 feet tall with a spread of 79 feet across and is in good condition.
  • In-depth recommendations: There is a small amount of deadwood in the crown that should be removed, but is a low priority. This tree should be monitored for Bacterial Leaf Scorch in the summer, but there is no evidence of it during the site visit.

Tree #16: White ash (Fraxinus americana)

Recommendation: Pruning, install cable

  • Location: Hole #7 – left side of the fairway near the green
  • Description: This 140” CBH ash is approximately 75 feet tall with a 68 foot spread and is in good condition
  • In-depth recommendations:Asupport cable would be useful here but it is not a high priorityThere is a small amount of deadwood in the crown and one broken low branch, both of low priority.

Tree #17: Boxelder Maple (Acer negundo)

Recommendations: Pruningand monitor –Consider removal

  • Location: Near 9th Hole
  • Description: This tree is 124” CBH and approximately 35 feet tall with a 58 foot spread.
  • In-depth recommendations:This is a poor choice for a landscape tree as they are very soft wooded, prone to storm damage and breakage, and are commonly infested with Boxelder bugs in the fall. Furthermore, this area is used often and is highly visible; there are many other choices of landscape trees that would be more suitable for this location. If this tree is to be retained, it should be pruned of deadwood and there should be some end weight reduction done to lessen the chance of breakage. Do not prune the new growth (water sprouts) on the leaders and branches. If water sprout pruning is necessary due to aesthetic reasons, leave at least two sprouts from each cluster. The energy created by the water sprouts will help improve the tree’s lifespan.

Tree #18: Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila)

Recommendations: Pruning, monitor basal cavity

  • Location: Hole #10 – left side of the fairway half way down
  • Description: This 102” CBH tree is approximately 60 tall and has a spread of 51 feet. It is in poor condition with a fair amount of deadwood and one large broken branch.
  • In-depth recommendations:There is a small basal cavity that widens out in the center and connects with another small cavity on the opposite side of the trunk. While this is not an immediate threat, it should be monitored. Siberian Elms are considered to be a poor quality landscape tree and if there is an opportunity to replace this tree with something more suitable, then it would be appropriate to consider removal.

Tree # 19: White ash (Fraxinus americana)

Recommendations: Prune, reduce mower root damage, monitor for EAB

  • Location: Hole # 10 – right side of fairway – next to Siberian elm
  • Description: This 84” CBH ash is approximately 45 feet tall and has a 46 foot spread. It is in fair condition with a co-dominant split, moderate amount of deadwood and a canker on the trunk. As with all ash on the course it should be monitored in the season for Emerald Ash Borer. It has a life expectancy of 5 to 15 years.

Tree #20: Norway maple (Acer platanoides)

Recommendations: Pruning, reduce mower root damage

  • Location: Hole #10 – left side of the fairway – next to ash and elm
  • Description: This 108” CBH tree has a 62 foot spread and is approximately 40 feet tall. It is in fair condition with some poor pruning cuts and sapsucker damage on the trunk. There is a small amount of deadwood and mower root damage. The life expectancy is 5 to 15 years.

Tree #21: Crabapple (Malus species)

Recommendations: Removal

  • Location: Off the end of the 10th hole to the right of the pathway
  • Description: This is a multi-stemmed tree with each of the trunks varying from 6” to 18” in diameter; many of which are dead. This tree has little redeeming landscape value and therefore, we recommend its removal.

Tree # 22: Pin oak (Quercus palustris)

Recommendations: pruning, monitor for BLS

  • Location: 11th Hole – right side of the fairway
  • Description: This 112” CBH oak is approximately 60 feet tall and has a 54 foot spread.
  • In-depth recommendations:It is in good condition with only a moderate amount of deadwood pruning necessary. This tree is adapted to the wet site conditions, and has a life expectancy of more than 15 years.

Tree # 23: Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)

Recommendations: Pruning

  • Location: 12th Hole – left side of fairway half way down
  • Description: This 174” CBH tree is approximately 90 feet tall with a canopy spread of 90 feet.,. Only deadwood pruning is recommended, removing the 2-3 pieces of large deadwood in the crown.The tree’s life expectancy is greater than 15 years.

Tree # 24: Black oak (Quercus velutina)

Recommendations: Prune, reduce mower root damage, monitor for BLS

  • Location: 12th Hole – right side of fairwaynear the end
  • Description: This 137”CBH oak is approximately 90 feet tall with a canopy spread of 56 feet. There are a few small pieces of deadwood and some mower root damage, but this tree is in good shape with a life expectancy greater than 15 years.

Tree # 25: Black oak (Quercus velutina)

Recommendations: Prune, reduce mower root damage, monitor for BLS

  • Location: 12th Hole – left side of fairway near the end
  • Description: This 115” CBH oak is approximately 90 feet tall with a canopy spread of 70 feet. There are a few small pieces of deadwood and some mower root damage, but this tree is in good shape with a life expectancy greater than 15 years.

Tree # 26: White oak (Quercus alba)

Recommendations: Lightning protection needs new standoffs.

  • Location: 13th Hole – left side of fairway
  • Description: This 146” CBH oak is approximately 85 feet tall with a canopy spread of 73 feet. This tree is in excellent shape. It would be beneficial to adjust and repair the lightning conductor standoffs.

Tree # 27: White oak (Quercus alba)

Recommendations: Lightning protection needs new stand offs

  • Location: 13th Hole – right side of the fairway – half way down
  • Description: This 175” CBH oak is in excellent shape at 85 feet tall with a 73 foot canopy spread. The only defect noted during the inspection is the lightning protection needs to be updated with new standoffs installed. No pruning needed at this time. There is a small cavity at the base of this tree and an old closed seam on the trunk, both of which are of little concern.

Tree #28: Red oak (Quercus rubra)

Recommendations: Install lightning protection, monitor for BLS

  • Location: 13th Hole – left side of fairway near the green
  • Description: This 103” CBH red oak is approximately 85 feet tall with a canopy spread of 69 feet, and is in excellent shape. It has been recently pruned. As with all the big oaks on the 13th at the top of the ridge, these are strategic trees worthy of protection. Due to its size and location, this tree would benefit from lightning protection. Since this is a Red oak, it will be prone and should be monitored for Bacterial Leaf Scorch.

Tree # 29:Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)