Trees removed from golf club to benefit practice green

One of the historic Christmas trees at Whitefish Lake Golf Club is coming down this spring along with a handful of other mature spruces that line the entry.

A towering spruce in the roundabout that dons multi-colored Christmas lights each winter is diseased and dying, said Terry Nelson, WLGC board member.

Crews plan to remove that tree along with others between the entry and the Whitefish cemetery.

“Why were taking them down is for the health of the greens,” Nelson said. “They’re providing was too much shade. They’re shading the green bad enough that it’s causing damage.”

The golf course consulted a U.S. Golf Association agronomist, who recommended removing the trees.

“Agronomists have recommended for years that some trees be removed,” Nelson said. “To identify the specific trees that should be removed, an app called Sun Seeker with Google Earth was used that shows where the sun is located at all times of the year, while also showing the surrounding trees that create shade on the greens.”

Nelson estimates the trees along the cemetery are more than 60 years old.

“We’ve had a lot of debate about it,” Nelson said. “The trees have aesthetic value and historical significance.”

Smaller ornamental trees will be planted along the cemetery side. Nelson says the Christmas tree on the west side of the practice green will remain and continue to be decorated for the holidays.

According to Nelson, a long-term plan to renovate the practice putting green will be formulated to enlarge the putting surface.

Removing trees around the practice green will create five new parking spaces, he added.