Wooded hole maintenence?

[Amenz]

A friend and I are currently in the process of proposing a course for a local piece of property. The Parks and Rec folks are wondering about the maintenance fees. As I walk the wooded section of the course there is lots of undergrowth. I'm wondering what to expect when we brush hog the fairways out install the course and start using it. Will grass grow? Do I want grass to grow? How often will it need to be mowed etc. What is your experience with courses that have heavy ground vegetation before installation?

[LeewayeDiscGolf]

To an extent the players walking on and using the course will somewhat keep down ground vegetation. How heavily is your course going to get used?

[gottafixit]

I have a few holes on the course I designed and installed that fit this bill, I cut one of the holes out of 6ft tall grass and torns. Things grow back if you don't keep up after them but heavy use helps alot. I;m not local to the course anymore or I would keep up after it better but getting the grass cut on those few holes at least 3 times a year is good. Again I would like more but spring, mid summer and fall are going to be the common times if your want to skimp. Heavy use and time will keep some fairways in check but not all. Best of luck.

[Amenz]

How heavily is your course going to get used?

That sir is the question....I'm hoping fairly heavily....just enough so I don't have to wait to throw:thmbup:

[Amenz]

I have a few holes on the course I designed and installed that fit this bill, I cut one of the holes out of 6ft tall grass and torns. Things grow back if you don't keep up after them but heavy use helps alot. I;m not local to the course anymore or I would keep up after it better but getting the grass cut on those few holes at least 3 times a year is good. Again I would like more but spring, mid summer and fall are going to be the common times if your want to skimp. Heavy use and time will keep some fairways in check but not all. Best of luck.

Thanks man.

[Dsplayname]

Chances are , grass won't grow on the cleared out fairways unless you lay down some sod/seed. Spreading the mulch from the brushhogging should be fine for something to walk on.
I think the "controlled burns" are the most effective way to clear out some undergrowth and ward off bugs and other unwanted creatures. 1 burn a year and 3-4 mowings should be enough upkeep.

[MrFixIt]

As Dsplayname said, mowing/hogging is great for control of "grassy" types of growth. If you spray glysophosphate mixed to a 7 - 10% mixture, that will also help to CONTROL woody stemmed growth, as well as poison ivey, bamboo briars, and anything else that wants to sprout. It must be done a couple times during the growing season.

[gabdisc]

I spend alot of time trying to control growth in many different areas of the country. You have to find out what works in your climate, vegitation type, ect. Ask someone in the loaal State Parks system, conservation, TNC, or what I beleive you call the DNR in your state. It's diffferent for all of us.

[Dave242]

I have not played a lot in your area, but you are close-ish to Oshtemo. That sounds a lot like your course. Dense woods with lots of underbrush but nice grass growing on the fairways. You should go visit if you haven't already and see what that's like.

[MrFixIt]

I spend alot of time trying to control growth in many different areas of the country. You have to find out what works in your climate, vegitation type, ect. Ask someone in the loaal State Parks system, conservation, TNC, or what I beleive you call the DNR in your state. It's diffferent for all of us.

Glysophosphate will work anywhere in the world! It is readily available to anyone and you do not need to have a pesticide application license to buy it, (which I do). There are many types of chemicals available to licensed applicators, however, the implications of use are not warranted in public use areas. The key to use is timing (when does the intended vegetation grow the most, ground temps, rainfall amounts during the seasons, etc., etc.,) and knowing (local master gardeners/cooperative extension agents/hell, even local farmers are great resources for info) when and what amount to use.

[solomon.trenton]

do you mean small shrubs and bushes? if so your best bet might be to cut them down to the earth and then use a stump rot chemical or a srump grinder to eliminate regrowth

[kenjiac]

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course_pics/164/ddbb3672.jpg?rand=4976

I need to figure out a way to get that fallen tree top cleaned up. Ideas? It's pretty high up. The tree top that's leaned over is probably 50+ ft off from the ground the trunk may be a little higher.

High Limb Chainsaw (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20186947_20431380,00.html#)

Anyone ever use this tool? How do they work? Could i add more rope to allow this to get higher?

[jack straw]

Any reason you can't remove the entire tree?

[denny ritner]

take a long rope with some sort of a weight on the end and throw it over the limb at the high point, 3-4 times, then attach all to a truck and snap it and pull it down.

[kenjiac]

Any reason you can't remove the entire tree?

Technically we are not supposed to cut. But in reality it's in the Y of another tree and I don't think the top would come down if we cut the trunk.

take a long rope with some sort of a weight on the end and throw it over the limb at the high point, 3-4 times, then attach all to a truck and snap it and pull it down.

Not getting a truck back to this hole surrounded by cliffs and water.

[IDGC_SUPER]

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course_pics/164/ddbb3672.jpg?rand=4976

I need to figure out a way to get that fallen tree top cleaned up. Ideas? It's pretty high up. The tree top that's leaned over is probably 50+ ft off from the ground the trunk may be a little higher.

High Limb Chainsaw (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20186947_20431380,00.html#)

Anyone ever use this tool? How do they work? Could i add more rope to allow this to get higher?

You can make a chainsaw lasso easily on your own, can you climb the tree safely?

what about a ladder against the trunk and a pole saw?

[MrFixIt]

The high limb chainsaw works well, you just have to be careful that it does not pinch in the kerf (saw cut).

I had one that we used for several years, only had to replace the ropes. It finally broke @ 2 yrs ago when a new maintenance guy was using it improperly:wall: