Environmental Benefits of Dead Trees

Every golf course has the natural ability to provide habitat for wildlife. Even if you do not plan to provide artificial habitat all trees on your property have the opportunity for wildlife to have a home.

When trees on the golf course die they still have the ability to provide homes for various species of wildlife including birds, rodents and certain types of insects. As long as the dead trees (snags) do not pose a safety hazard they should be left standing.

These snags will continue to provide homes for wildlife as long as you let them. Of course once a snag becomes a safety hazard it must be taken down. At this point you should let the snag lay on the ground as it will continue to provide habitat. In this situation playability must be considered first and foremost. If the tree will not interfere with play as it lays on the ground it should be left for wildlife to inhabit.

A big part of maintaining an environmentally responsible golf course is as simple as being aware of the environmental opportunities that already exist without you needing to do any work.