Things of beauty and joy for ever …

The gardens at tees and greens

Things of beauty and joy for ever.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder… and now around our tees and greens.

On the Course Gardens ……Tees and greens

Prior to the late 1990s there were no gardens near tees or greens, apart from Duranta occasional ornamental trees behind some greens. Since then, the surrounds of many tees and greens have been transformed with gardens of different variety to enhance the visual pleasure when playing the course.

In front of the ladies 1st tee, the land slopes very steeply towards Devlins Creek. Native grasses had been planted in 1990s. These proved very difficult to manage and were burnt off in 1999. The area was then heavily covered with woodchip mulch and covered with cloth, secured into the bank. The bank was then planted with ground cover Royal Mantle Grevillea.

In time this proved too difficult to maintain, the grevillia being unsuitable for the sandy location and was dying in places. This was replaced with a more hardy native grass, Dianella. Different varieties, in varying textures of this grass were used to eventually cover the bed where the groundcover was removed with heavy mulching and by minimising spacing to limit weed species growth.

For many years the 1st tee could be approached from the pro shop by a set of stairs made from railway sleepers. In 1999, these were replaced by a brickwalled garden and planted with yellow flowering daisies

In 2008 two Weeping Flowering Cherry trees and lavender and some Lomandra clumps replaced the yellow daisies.

At the front left of the ladies tee, a Tibouchina adds spectacular colour when flowering.

Like all the tees on the course, no gardens had been made on the 2nd tee. While not a garden as such, in January 1995, eight uniformly spaced NSW Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum) were planted on the left of the men’s blue tee, to help screen off the tee from the 1st fairway and provide some colour during flowering season.

And there were some shrubs and Lomandra planted on the right near the men’s blue tees.

Around the same time the front of the 2nd tee was poisoned in preparation for a garden to be made behind the ladies’ tee, adjacent to the path. Initially it was planted mostly with Lomandra and ground cover.

A few years later after the path beside the tee was changed from woodchip path into Bago, the front garden had grown somewhat.

There was no other planting on the left side of the tee.

By August 2012 the growth of the front garden and the Scrub Cherries at the back was evident.

And in 2017 the Scrub Cherries were well grown and were then heavily pruned to improve their foliage density. This was again repeated in early 2022.

The front garden between ladies and men’s tees had yellow flowering Gazania ground cover planted to cover any bare patches in the bed. All other plants were growing well.

In 2020 the ladies gardening group renovated the front garden.

In 2022 the Scrub Cherries were well grown and bushed out through careful pruning over recent years and provide a good barrier for mishit balls from the 1st fairway. There is a sole surviving Christmas Bush which this photo shows would never have provided the same bulky form of protection as now achieved.

The dwarf Acacia shrubs planted near the blue markers by 2010 were past their use by date and pests and diseases such as borers were destroying the plants. These were replaced by hardier shrubs such as Duranta erecta (Golden Duranta). These provide a visual barrier from the street with native trees already near the fence.

The 3rd tee had little in the way of garden until the RTA in 1993, resumed some land at the Copeland Road/Pennant Hills Road corner and along the right-side perimeter of the course. This required work to formalise the tee.

Initially an external chain wire fence was built by the RTA to define the boundary and the Club worked on redefining and rebuilding the tee area. To begin with a brushwood fence was installed against the external fence and the garden was defined by treated logs. The garden was planted with a native mass of Melaleuca, (paper bark) Grevillea, Callistemon (bottle brush) and tea tree to provide colour,

However by 2007, the tea tree at the back of the tee had grown ‘leggy’ and had not filled out in the intended manner, so they were replaced by lilly pilly ( Acmena smithii var minor) which were regularly pruned to form a closeleafed hedge.

In 2013, in a further move to obviate balls crossing the fence onto Pennant Hills Road, it was decided to remove the screen near the blue tee, remake the garden to allow the white tee to move much closer to the fence and only use the original blue tee for championship events. Monthly Medal rounds were played from blue tees moved forward. This required all of the Melaleucas except the one nearest Copeland Road be cut down and the area turfed to provide the tee.

A concrete block brick wall was constructed in place of the brushwood fence and a row of lilly pilly (Acmena smithii var minor) was planted against the brick wall and closely pruned to provide a continuous hedge. Ground cover of Star Jasmine was planted atop the log walls surrounding the tee. Star Jasmine was also planted atop the log supporting fence on the green side of the cart path to match the rest of the tee.

In 2022, the tree and shrubs are well established and provided a very pleasant space when using the 3rd tee.

3rd Green.

Adjacent to the 3rd green is the iconic Cape Chestnut. This tree provides a beautiful display of flowers when in bloom.

In December 2018 the tree was damaged in the big storm which also damaged many trees and required special care to restore its shape and flowering capability. The Horticulturist, Rod Fletcher, undertook this with heavy pruning. His action caused alarm among some Club members believing he had effectively killed the tree. But fortunately Rod knew what he was doing and within a short period, the tree had recovered well and again set about displaying its annual cornucopia of coloured pink blossom.

Behind the green up until 1993, there was a line of Lophostemon trees planted in the 1920s. Mahers Road was the other side of a three strand wire fence and at the same height as the course. However in 1995 after a small parcel of land was resumed by the RTA to build a wall at the corner of Pennant Hills Road and the M2, in 2012 a Viburnum odoratissimum hedge was planted to hide the concrete wall.

5

The screen on the left of the 5th tee was first erected in May 1991, but no garden planted. When the 5th tee was rebuilt in January 1997 a larger screen was erected and tea tree shrubs and Lomandra was planted on both sides of the fence.

When the concrete cart path was laid on the left of the tee in 2008, the garden on the tee side was widened to fill the gap between the screen and the path edge. The plants on the side of the 4th fairway were removed and replaced with turf.

Originally the area was declared a garden for playing purposes, but this was changed to being part of the course in 2018. By this time, much of the tea tree had been removed and replaced with Gymea Lily, grevillea and Blueberry Ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus) which were shaped to keep compact. Plant spacing was thinned out to allow chipping to the path side for any balls hit into the area.

The garden in 2022. Tree and shrubs from left are Blueberry Ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus), lilly pilly, and Melaleuca alternifolia

Inside the cart turning circle compact trimmed melaleuca make a very attractive circular hedge.

The right side of the 6th tee was overgrown Lantana and other weedy scrub. It was removed in 1994 and burnt under the direction of the Beecroft Fire Brigade.

In spite of clearance of scrub and Lantana on right side of fairway, it was still present further up the fairway in 1997.

Until the time of the construction of the motorway, the rear of the tee was bushland with an incongruous palm tree at the back of the tee.

The

This coincided in 1998 with a rebuild of the 6th tee and path to improve drainage.

Tree and shrub planting at the rear of the tee and Lomandra on the right side, by 2007 provided some improvement to the tee surrounds. However the path from the 5th green to the tee and the surrounding vegetation needed changes.

For many years the path between the 5th green and the 6th tee had passed through a natural stand of trees.

After paved cart paths were put in during 2008, replacing the woodchip and Bago paths, a garden was started on the right side with the left side cleaned out of any dying or badly diseased shrubs and replaced with better performing flowering native shrubs. Also to keep with the already sub-tropical theme in this garden more Lilly Pilly, tea trees and indigenous flowering trees were planted, e.g. Blueberry Ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus), Water gums and white flowering teatrees.

The Monstera deliciosa plants which had climbed up a number of trees were removed.

In 2013, the garden on the right side of the path was planted out including Gymea lily (Doryanthes palmeri), a different variant to the Doryanthes excelsa more commonly found around the course. When flowering this provides a huge spray of red flowers causing the stem to arc over and touch the ground. It attracts nectar seeking birds which pollinate it. The garden had some sandstone blocks added before numerous smaller shrubs including New Zealand Christmas bush and Duranta erecta (Golden Duranta) were planted. These are shaped regularly.

In 2017, a continuous Viburnum hedge was planted from behind the 6th tee to the front edge of the 9th tee, providing a clear and pleasant border to these holes.

7th Tee

Before 2000 the 7th tee was a bare grass slab.

It was initially planted with Lomandra and kangaroo paw

2002

Tee tree, bottle brush, Banksia and Gymea lilies were used to ‘bulk up’ the garden in following years and soon provided a protective and pleasant surround.

2017

In April 2018 the hedge of small leaved lilly pilly (Syzygium leuhmanii) behind the screen which had been added in 1994 to provide additional protection from wayward shots from the 6th tee, was removed.

This area has changed several times in the last 30 or so years.

In 1980, there were a four conifers planted as seen in this aerial image. However by the early 1990s some had succumbed to disease and were shedding branches. When Richard Kirkby became Course Superintendent in 1994, he requested that they be removed as their shading of the green from essential morning sunlight was affecting the health of the green.

In 2007, it was decided to replace the bottle brush with lilly pilly trees when they became infested with sawfly, caterpillars and thrip.

In 2014, a hedge of Loropetulum was planted behind the lilly pilly and in front a lower contoured hedge of Duranta. These were spaced to provide a wavy shape and were regularly trimmed. The lilly pilly were heavily pruned to improve the density of the foliage.

Bank behind 8th green.

In 1998, the bank behind the 8th green was planted with red and yellow kangaroo paw and provided spectacular displays, when flowering.

However the constant dampness due to underground seepage caused a degree of rotting and the Kangaroo Paw was replaced with Star Jasmine in February 2012.

In July 2022, the star Jasmine was removed because when a ball was hit into it, players were unable to determine their nearest point of relief. The bank was covered with woodchips and planted with Lomandra.

9th Tee and garden.

The 9th tee was bordered on the right by overgrown and weedy scrubby bushland.

And while it was kept from invading the tee, no formal border planting was carried out until 2011 when Lomandra was planted.

The area to the left of the tee, had been a grass area with a couple of tiers and until 1999, a stand of three conifers near the path from the 8th green. The grass bank was difficult to mow and maintain so the pines were removed in June 2000.

9th tee showing the tiered grass slope up to the 6th green and the conifers removed in 2000. The famed Wisteria Arch, planted beside the 9th tee by Vince Church in the 1960s always gave a year round variety of colours…Springtime mauve flowers, Summer greenery, Autumn amber leaves, and the stark tangle of vines in Winter. When in 1997, the reconstruction of the cart path from the 8th green required additional space, the pergola was removed and the wisteria plant moved and cropped to a standalone shrub. It was eventually removed in 1999 when it interfered with carts turning.

When initially proposed to make a garden on the left slope, concerns were that it would delay play searching for lost balls. The decision was to not use any ground cover and only small shrubs. In 2006 a native garden was built with mainly tea tree planted.

However by 2010 the tea trees had become woody and overgrown and were replaced with flowering grevilleas and dwarf banksia.

In 2015 the garden was replanted with Duranta erecta (Golden Duranta) and tibouchina which provide a spectacular display during late Spring.

In 2017 a Viburnum hedge was planted on the eastern side and gave the tee a more pleasant look and formal edge.

On the pathway to the bridge, a garden was established in 2012

This was planted with Duranta erecta (Golden Duranta) shrubs, ground cover and two Gymea lily species :- (Doryanthes excelsa) with a single flower head and (Doranthes palmeri) with its spectacular cluster of flowers.

In 2020, the garden was well established with the Gymea lilies flowering each year.

10th Tee.

In the 1990s there was no garden to the left of the tee. A series of trees had been planted which provided some seasonal colour variation.

When the 2001 extensions were completed, in order to provide a view of the course from the new deck and clubhouse the taller trees were removed and replaced with flowering shrubs.

In 2012, a garden had been established over the path in front of the ladies tee, including ground cover and low shrubs.

In 2018, to coincide with the rebuilding of the clubhouse and relocation of the pro shop, the garden beside the 10th tee was replanted with an array of flowering and colour leaved shrubs which now provide a kaleidoscope of colour changes throughout the year.

Duranta erecta (Golden Duranta), and Loropetulum with dwarf tibouchina in foreground with white and red flowered Crepe Myrtle are the main features, with low “Little Ruby” Alternanther adetenta adding colour.

In May 2022, the gardens beside the 10th tee were replanted with two formal rows of dwarf gardenia and gazanias as part of the Centenary Garden program.

Prior to 1999, the 11th tee was bare of any garden at the back or sides.

When the tee was completely rebuilt in 1999, the surrounding area was landscaped and planted with shrubs and groundcover. Again, it transformed a ‘barren tee’ to a very pleasant garden surrounded setting.

It has evolved to an established garden planted with Indian Hawthorn, dwarf tea tree and ground cover along with some more lilies.

Behind the 11th green

At the 11th green, there was no garden and a lone Pin Oak.

In 2002 a garden was created around the Pin Oak, planted with dwarf acacia and Grevillea rosmarinifolia. Five Duranta erecta were planted adjacent to the path from the 12th tee, directly behind the green.

However in 2006 the small tea trees were replaced with “Hannah Ray” Weeping Bottlebrush. But by 2010 the dwarf Acacia and grevillea were either damaged or dying and were replaced and new species of dwarf Acacia.

Since 1938 a brick memorial drinking fountain has stood adjacent to the men’s 13th tee. It had a lone willow planted beside it and it provided shade. However in a heavy storm in 1991 the willow was broken and crashed onto the fountain causing significant damage.

Bob Giblin, the Club historian at the time undertook to find the same type of brick, which had not been fired since 1945, to repair the memorial to its original style. He found a store of bricks in an old builder’s garage and the fountain was fully restored by March 1991.

In 2012 Horticulturist, Rod Fletcher, demonstrated his wide range of skills by restoring the platform surrounding the memorial with flat sandstone pavers. Additionally small shrubs were planted at either end, and Amaryllis lilies (Hippeastrum reginae) planted in a garden behind.

13th Green

In the 1970s there were two, and later three, conifers

By 2005, these had started to suffer die back and were progressively replaced with ‘Hannah Ray” Weeping Bottlebrush.

When well established, the bottlebrush shrubs were heavily pruned to maintain a compact shape and increase flowering.

15th Tee

Prior to 1993, the 15th tee had no garden and had trees behind and a significant stand of trees on the left between the tee and the pumping station.

In June 1993, a memorial fountain was completed at the 15th tee, having been donated by a Club member in memory of long time Secretary/Manager Alex Marks.

The original garden was rudimentary, consisting of a few clumps of Lomandra.

1993 And 2003

Several years later, these were replaced by low growing gardenias.

Directly behind the tee were a Liquid Amber and a pine tree. The Liquid Amber and pine tree were removed in 2007 to allow the spoil from the water reclamation plant (WRP) to be placed on the right side of the 11th fairway to form knolls and swales.

In 2016, the memorial sandstone was refurbished and the surrounding garden replanted.

The garden contains Duranta erecta (Golden Duranta), “Little Ruby”

Alternanthera deentata and lilly pilly, with a weeping flowering cherry. The area behind is not an official garden as it is deemed part of the course, hosts Lomandra, Grevillea and Gymea lilies.

15th Green

In the 1980s the only protection provided for the 15th green was a low wirenetting fence less than 3 metres high with a few conifers planted in front.

In 1991, a higher and wider chain wire screen was added and on the suggestion of Keith Cheeseman, a Club member, Sasanqua camellias were planted on the green side.

By 1997, these had grown to cover much of the screen and provide a solid green backdrop to the hole.

And by 2022, the shrubs provided a complete coverage of the screen and a pleasant view from both sides, with pleasant display of flowers in Autumn.

16th Green and adjacent to 17th tee

Until the mid 1980s there was no garden or trees behind the 16th green.

However in 1988 several Sasanqua camellias were planted in a line between the green and the 17th tee.

In 1999 these shrubs were included in an extended garden along the left side of the 17th tee and across its front. This was planted with Lomandra and some ground cover. Adjacent to the 17th tee, a row of Murraya paniculata (Orange Jessamine) were planted in 2000 to produce a hedge to help provide protection for players on the 16th green.

In 2001, a chain wire screen was erected between the 16th green and 17th Tee to help provide protection for mishit balls from the 17th.

By 2007 the Murraya had grown and were trimmed to the height of the fence to produce a hedge. In 2010 the Lomandra directly behind the green had overgrown and had become home for a rat population under their roots. These were replaced with dwarf gardenia, bottlebrush and lilies.

By 2017 Murraya had formed a solid hedge and the Sasanqua camellias had grown tall providing good protection for mishits from the tee. These shrubs are regularly trimmed to maintain their shape and foliage density.

On the left side of the 17th, the garden has a border of Lomandra in front of the Murraya hedge.

As with so many other holes in the 1990s until well into the 2000s, there was no defining border for the tee.

However in 2017, a Viburnum hedge was planted behind and on right side of 18th tee providing a similar feel to the 6th and 9th tees.

And so, from 2000, the transformation of the tees and greens from being quite bare, into many with attractive and colourful gardens with regular displays of colour has brought delight to most golfers each time they play.

So wherever members now walk, they can be presented with a constant and seasonal display of numerous flowers and shrubs.

We care about our trees.

We care about our trees…… and manage them with care

Tree Management Plans from 1993

Refer to Part 8 Growth of the Course 1923-1999 in “Golf in the Pennant Hills District”

Summary

Pennant Hills Golf Course, from its earliest days in 1923, had a high coverage of large trees so much so that many had to be removed to form fairways and expand the course to 18 holes and championship length. The local district was graced by high forest of Blue Gum, Ironbark and Blackbutt. However urbanisation of the area had reduced these species to an area of less than 1 per cent of its former total area.

This 1943 photo shows the extensive stands of trees at the eastern end of the course even after many trees had been removed for the fairways of the eventual 18 hole layout. The stand in the top right of the photo outside the course itself show the density which would have been common in earlier years,

In 1993, Pennant Hills Golf Club Board wanted to provide true long-term prospects for the survival of this traditional local forest type through the correct management of the trees contained within its boundaries.

As the course was gradually developed since 1923, many additional trees were planted in part offsetting the trees which needed to be removed as part of the course development. However, in those early years, many new plantings were non-native trees, such as cypress, conifers and pines where such introduced species were seen by many as a desirable variant to the native trees.

Tree choice made during these early days did not often include attempts to enhance the stands of indigenous trees native to the area, nor necessarily consider the impact of location, clustering and canopy health, all of which are now considered important for proper development of a golf course per se and for any long term tree management plan for the course.

As the years went by, some of the original oldest trees started to suffer and deteriorate and required either heavy trimming or complete removal for safety reasons.

Additionally, the closeness of some stands of trees, inappropriate choices of species in those earlier times, and their location, limited and sometimes blocked sunlight onto fairways and greens hindering the development of the course and especially fairways.

In 1993, following an unsolicited proposal by Landscan Pty Ltd (David Louden), offering landscaping consultant services, the Board decided to consider a wider objective for the course development which would also include tree management as well as overall landscaping.

Invitations were given to the following course architects inviting them to Tender a Brief for preparation of Vegetation Survey, Analysis and Management Plan for the Pennant Hills Golf Course: a)Ray Fuggle & Associates Pty Ltd b)Landscan Pty Ltd c)Apex Arborcare d)Margules & Partners Pty Ltd

This was eventually awarded to Landscan Pty Ltd and in August 1993 the Landscan Plan Vegetation and Management Study was accepted.

In its report, Landscan noted:-

“The Club recognises that the course vegetation is dynamic and as time goes on, the vegetation will have a varying impact on the condition of the Course and the playing of the game. Rather than let this dynamic process take its own natural path, the Club has a strong desire to monitor and manage all aspects of the growth and decline of the Course vegetation. It is anticipated that successful management of this area will have a positive impact on both the immediate and long term condition of the Course and the experience of playing golf at Pennant Hills”

There are many issues associated with the management of vegetation of a golf course and Landscan was asked to identify existing and future issues of vegetation management particular to Pennant Hills Golf Club and to compile a plan of management. The Club Committee had identified the following areas of concern :-

• Excessive shading of tees and fairways

• Competition of moisture between tree roots and fairway grasses

• Screening of adjacent roads ( both views and wayward golf balls)

• Growth of trees restricting golf shots

• Future death / damage of existing mature trees and forward replacement planting

• Existing and potential disease, insect attack and storm damage

• Player safety on tees, fairways and greens in relation to wayward golf balls

• Strategic location of trees and shrubs in relation to playing the game

• Existing inappropriate planting

• Existing and potential theme planting in particular areas of the Course

• Weed infestation of watercourses and remnant natural bushland

• Future road widening

Landscan’s plan covered both recommendations for the removal of dead or dying trees, planting of appropriate replacements and the general improvements in the landscaping of the overall course. It was a comprehensive document of 88 pages of A3 format including photographs and notes of each fairway and of the tree varieties and associated issues. It listed virtually all species of tree on the course

An example of details of damaged or inappropriate trees on course from Landscan’s report. The Board eventually decided not to retain Landscan and appointed the Course Superintendent to take carry out the program.

Implementation of their general plan commenced in 1994 shortly after Richard Kirkby had been recruited as Course Superintendent and the plan was followed in general over the remainder of the decade.

From time to time the Club wished to remove or replace many different trees of various species, which always required application to the Hornsby Shire Council for approval which slowed the process.

By 18 August 1999 it was decided to formally submit this Stage 1 Tree Management Plan to Hornsby Council , which, when approved, would be adopted as a blueprint against which they would grant permission to remove trees and in particular on the Pennant Hills Road boundary which was becoming an urgent issue.

The Hornsby Council Tree Preservation Officer attended the Club in September 1999 to inspect the trees on the third fairway, and to collaborate on the Tree Management Plan. Approval was given to remove some conifers identified, and some Tallowoods on the 3rd hole. He was also alerted to the plight of the

Ironbarks, particularly those on the right of the 5th hole which needed to be preserved to provide protection for the M2 Motorway.

Based on the good relationship of the Course Superintendent, Richard Kirkby had with Peter Nicholls (Hornsby Shire Council), Council approval was granted and this Tree Management Plan (TMP) Stage 1, having been accepted would continue to be implemented.

Supplementary to the approval of the TMP, and in order to prevent or at least slow down the serious decline of the course’s many remnant stands of Ironbark trees, off-label chemical trials of Confidor commenced in partnership with Trevor Burley from Bayer Australia. The trials included stem and ground injections and were used to determine a possible treatment and long-term prevention of Psyllid attacks on Ironbarks. The trials were found to be successful which lead to registration of Confidor for the use in the treatment of Psyllids on Eucalyptus trees and to the widespread use of this method across the Arboriculture industry.

Trees for removal.

The Council approved an extension of time under the Stage 1 TMP to give the Club the opportunity to selectively cull trees in the 15th, 16th tree corridor. It was recommended that 19 Tallowood trees be removed from the RHS of the 15th /16th corridor and 9 trees be removed from the LHS of the 15th fairway. All the trees for removal were marked with yellow paint.

1999. The first two Conifers on the left side of the first green were approved for removal.

The TMP started with the tree corridors between the 7th and 8th holes and 3rd , 12th and 13th and were completed in the 2000/2001 financial year with the removal of trees between 3rd and 12th fairways and management of the forest between the 7th and 8th holes.

In March 2002 approval was granted by Hornsby Council for the removal of trees from the 1st and 2nd fairways.

Streamlining approval & Stage 2 Plan

As a means of streamlining the process of Council Approval, after the success of Stage 1, and as a blueprint to manage existing trees, especially to help preserve old ironbark, blackbutt and blue gum trees which were native to the area, a Stage 2 Tree Management Plan was proposed and was developed by the Club’s Horticulturist, Jason Rothery for submission to the council. His plan was considered excellent, and it was submitted to the Hornsby Council in October 2002.

This plan identified most trees on the course on a fairway by fairway basis and also nominated those most likely needing to be removed or preserved, and also identified replacement species for planting.

In February 2003 Hornsby Council approved Stage 2 of the TMP, however Council wanted additional Eucalyptus trees planted on the northern side of fairways. This request would have created shade problems on other fairways that had just been reduced on the first fairway. The Club negotiated this aspect with Council which approved the compromise of planting extra Eucalypts along the right side of the 5th fairway.

Stage 2 Tree Management Plan Introduction

The introduction to the Stage 2 Plan stated:-following the success of Stage One of the Tree Management Plan (TMP), and wide recognition that management of a large parkland environment, such as this golf course, needs to be an ongoing project, Stage 2 now needs to be implemented. This plan was developed with a vision of what the landscape will look like in twenty years and more.

It has been recognized that planting for short-term effect is not the way to proceed. It was this approach that saw the proliferation of the Eucalyptus microcorys, (Tallowwood), which was aimed at providing a quick-growing replacement to what was imagined, was a terminally aging forest. The fact is, that Tallowwood is not the best tree for a golf course and it is not able to live sympathetically with the endemic species. Having said that, they will maintain a place on the course, particularly as a screening plant along boundaries.

The results from the first stage have shown that the removal of Eucalyptus microcorys, Tallowwood, has had major benefits to the remnant trees and the course generally.

These include:

•An improvement in Blue Gum/Blackbutt tree health seen in increased canopy vigour and coloration due to reduced competition for water and nutrients.

•An increase in available light to undergrowth and long rough, resulting in increased grass cover and quality.

•An increase in available light to east / west fairways with subsequent improvements in fairway turf quality.

But, there is still scope for additional improvements through further reduction in tree numbers and strategic replanting. This can be achieved primarily by Tallowwood removal but also in removal of other exotic species such as selected Conifers and Pines, which also have a negative impact on the course as a whole.

A key objective for the second stage of the TMP will be the preservation and enhancement of the remnant forest within Pennant Hills Golf Club. This plan will not only look at tree removal on a fairway-by-fairway basis, but will cover a replanting strategy essential, not only to the plan's acceptance, but to ensure the long term survival and ecological integrity of the remnant Blue Gum/ Blackbutt forest.

The planting strategy will also address the issue of player safety by suggesting plantings in areas known to be of concern, either now or in the future. This will require some challenging decisions on the Board's behalf, but essential decisions nevertheless, and ones which will provide assurances that future golfing generations enjoy the unique experience of playing at Pennant Hills Golf Club as current members and visitors do every day.

Over the ensuing years this plan was followed and significant tree removal and replacement took place.

Stage 3

In 2007, Richard Kirkby suggested a Stage 3 of the Club's tree management plan. This would involve more trees being removed in key corridors on the course. This plan evolved over a couple of years before being sent to Hornsby Council in April 2009 for approval.

The Council had requested an Ecology Report, given that only 10% of the Blue Gum Forest still exists in Sydney and Canberra, which would cost Pennant Hills Golf Club approximately $5 - 7K.

Approximately 25 of these trees on the property were diseased and all were causing a problem. Council was requested to visit the site and due to the care and grooming by the Club of the course it was agreed that the Club did not need to submit an Ecology Report with the Tree Management Plan. As the plan had already been adopted by the Board it was ready for immediate implementation in June 2010 when the Council had given its approval.

The Stage 3 Tree Management plan included in its Introduction:

“This plan has been commissioned to continue the Club’s commitment to managing the remnant threatened Blue Gum High Forest that dominates the urban forest contained within the boundaries of Pennant Hills Golf Club. It is also testament to the Clubs recognition that its trees are indeed an asset which benefits both members and the wider community alike.

The implementation of Tree Management Plan (TMP) 1 and 2 saw 147 and 250 trees, respectively, identified for removal. Completion of TMP 1 occurred in late 2002 then TMP 2 was commissioned in February 2003 and later endorsed by Hornsby Shire Council. At the time of writing, April 2009, TMP 2 was approximately 70% complete with budgetary constraints and an extended time period without a Course Horticulturist being the cause. However, given that 6 years have now past since the completion of preparation of TMP 2, the Club has commissioned TMP 3 with the view of revisiting those trees previously marked for removal which still exist, and taking forward the Clubs tree management over the next 5 years. As such, a large percentage (approximately 30%) of those trees identified in this report for removal were actually identified and endorsed in the previous plan.

The total number of trees proposed for removal is 122.

As with TMP 1 and 2, this plan seeks to identify those trees which have an adverse impact on the existing Blue Gum High Forest trees or prevents the Club from carrying out its primary role, that being providing members with a playable surface for the purpose of playing golf, in a safe environment.

Key Objectives

Since writing TMP 2, the Blue Gum High Forest vegetation type has been listed as a Threatened Ecological Community. Given this situation, further emphasis is placed on organisations like Pennant Hills Golf Club to provide long-term prospects for the survival of this forest type through the correct management of the trees contained within their boundaries. Results achieved thus far, with the support of Council, will ensure this asset is maintained for future generations. A key objective for the third stage of the TMP will again be the preservation and enhancement of the remnant forest within Pennant Hills Golf Club. The lower end of the course contains large numbers of mature Eucalyptus paniculata (Grey Ironbark) which have seen repeated attack from Psyllid infestations over the past decade. These trees are showing severe decline with many recent deaths and this pattern will continue over the coming years. It would be a reasonable statement to suggest that 90% of the remaining Eucalyptus paniculata along the 5th, 7th , and 8th fairways will be lost in the next 5 years. Long term planting strategies need to be implemented now to avoid this part of the course being virtually devoid of all trees. A key objective for the third stage of the TMP will need to include replanting of local tree species where declining remnant Eucalyptus paniculata exist.”

In February 2014, the Club made a request to Council regarding reshaping trees on left of 1st on safety grounds. The Council indicated that it would be beneficial for the Club to submit a 5-10 year DA which would outline plans for tree management as opposed to applying for tree removals/treatments on a case by case basis even of safety grounds.

In August 2014, Australian Tree Consultants (ATC) were engaged to carry out a Visual Tree Assessment of trees and report on trees within the golf course to include identification of tree life expectancy, hazard and risk of all trees on the course.

In February 2015, a preliminary tree report was provided by ATC which negatively risk rated a number of trees which were summarised as: 5 critical, 20 urgent, and 146 high risk.

The summary of tree risk is as follows:

• 5 Critical risk (Trees No’s. 52, 431, 648, 830, 936) - “Failure of either whole or part of tree is predictably imminent”;

• 20 Urgent Risk - “Defects are very severe, dangerous trees because of structural defects including cavities, decay, included bark, wounds or poor form”;

• 146 High Risk - “The tree shows signs of over weighted limbs, significant disease, root damage, removal of adjacent supporting tree, other significant defects present”.

To address the work required a tender was issued to tree surgeons to remove these risks in a timely fashion.

The full ATC report contained detailed assessment of 1324 tree on the course, of which 1176 were tagged.

Sample assessments of the overall state, age, health life expectancy and risk were shown as Pie Charts

A satellite map with each tree per category numbered, eg high risk trees.

Similar maps for all other categories were included in the report.

In March 2015, in a report to the Board, ATC stated:-

•The Club and Board are well positioned legally given a tree related issue on the golf course with the TMP which is founded on industry best practice and appropriate industry standards for risk management and tree safety.

•At times of greatest risk the course will generally be clear of golfers, while the Club has a lightening policy it should also consider adopting a wind policy.

•ATC try to avoid removing trees where safe to do so;

•44 Critical and Urgent trees have been removed to date;

•Club's database of trees is updated within 7 days of tree works;

•The Club's TMP is being used as an example of best practice for other organisations to follow;

•Changes in tree management approvals are currently being considered. The proposed modification is that approved certifiers will be able to approve tree works for all businesses, bypassing the need to engage local councils altogether.

June 18, 2018: Under the Tree management plan restocking 75-80 trees were planted during July. Hugh Taylor of ATC reinspected the remaining high risk trees. Five trees were upgraded to urgent with the recommendation to be treated as a priority. Others have been downgraded due to dead-wooding which could be undertaken by the Club’s tree contractors. Two boundary trees on 1st needed to be removed for safety reasons.

The trees individually identified with colour code for risk rating which is updated when any tree is removed according to the approved plan.