Grounds

By Cathy Wagner, CPH, Director of Horticulture The great Cicada invasion of 2021 is just a memory now, but we have seen the extent of their impact on trees across the area. The females’ ovipositors sliced and deposited eggs into the branches of trees and shrubs, cutting off the transport of water and nutrients in the thinner outer branches, causing desiccation and eventual die-back of branch tips. Some trees were barely touched, while others took the full brunt of their damaging egg laying activities. Though the extent of their impact was quite shocking, it is important to keep in mind that their reproductive strategy relies on their larvae falling from these trees into the soil and feeding on the same tree’s roots for the next 17 years. It wouldn’t make sense for them to kill those trees in the process. Many trees have already shed broken branch tips and responded to the cicada “pruning” by flushing out some new growth. Some trees, especially those already weakened by existing, disease, or transplant shock, may not recover and decline will accelerate. We have seen the full spectrum of damage across the Club’s grounds. Some trees like Tulip Poplar and Walnut seemed to barely be touched. Others, like Pin Oak, Red Oak, and Apples, showed a large amount of tip die-back. A recently transplanted Red Oak near the barn on #6 East was heavily damaged. This tree, along with the recently transplanted Willow Oak and Sycamore at #7 East, was treated with a biostimulant to reduce stress by boosting photosynthetic and cellular capacity and increasing antioxidants and plant hydration. Chinese Chestnuts seemed to have a high sensitivity to the damage, and the two mature specimens between #5 East and #6 West suffered extensive desiccation, with very little healthy foliage evident. We continue to closely monitor their potential for recovery. ◆

GREENKEEPER'S UPDATE By Tim Kennelly, CGCS, Head Greenkeeper In addition to the Driving Range renovation currently underway, the Grounds Team will also be repairing 17 tees on the West Course by stripping the existing grass, laser grade so the surface is smooth and level, and then resod with bermudagrass. No holes will be closed while this work is being completed; however, the tees that are being repaired will be closed for two weeks once they are sodded. This will allow the surface to root and establish before opening for play. We selected bermudagrass and scheduled this project for August since bermudagrass performs best in the hottest and most humid environments, which correlates with our busiest time of the year.

The following tees are scheduled for repair:

• 1 blue & white • 8 blue • 10 white • All of 13 • 14 green • 15 green, red, & white • All of 16 • 17 green, red, & white • 18 gold & white Now is a critical time for golfers to repair divots on fairways and tees. The golden rule for divot recovery: Once a divot is taken, the first option is, if the divot is intact and soil remains attached, it will most likely survive if it is placed back and tamped in place. If the divot is destroyed and can't be replaced, fill the divot with the seed/soil mix (provided on the carts) and tamp it down with your foot so the mix is level with the surrounding area. We appreciate your assistance in keeping our courses in the best possible condition. Finally, the Osage Orange trees, lining the second hole on the East and near the third hole on the West along Mays Chapel Road, were pruned last month by a BGE contractor. This work is completed every three to five years and is designed to ensure reliable and consistent power service to the Club. ◆

Driving Range Renovation

CLOSURES & RESTRICTIONS

Monday, August 2 - Thursday, August 19

Driving Range is closed to repair the Range field and install target greens near Back Range tees

Friday, August 20 - Friday, August 27

• Driving Range tees are open on both ends from the grass • Balls will be hand-picked to allow the sod to knit and establish. The Range will be closed from 2:00pm-3:00pm and 6:30pm-dusk daily for hand-picking

Saturday, August 28

Normal operations to resume