by Forrest Richardson, ASGCA, Golf Course Architect
Trees are not absent in our earliest form of the game. Besides, the opinions of the 1990s — or even yesterday — do not define the game, nor should they. When the game moved inland (it had to, to serve the growing population who wanted to play) the land golf architects faced did not consist of sandy dunes, untouched coastlines and patches of gorse. Those who brought the game to the masses were given parcels of land with rolling hills, inland rivers, streams — and, trees. It was natural, and so the emulation began. Our earliest golf course designers not only planted grass across farmland and prairies, but trees of all varieties, shape and color were added to the ‘artificial’ courses. Golf underwent change. Today 99% of all courses are not on linksland, or even land we consider close to being ‘links-y.’
When Oakmont removed all but a few of its thousands of trees, a few were preserved as icons to the landscape. And, yes, some of these specimens remain to uphold the very experience that makes Oakmont Oakmont. Jack Snyder, who brought me into golf architecture, planted many of the now-removed trees at Oakmont during the early 1950s. The planned Pennsylvania Turnpike, an ugly affair, was the driving force. Right or wrong, Oakmont felt it needed trees.
Yet, here we are in 2025 and it seems there is a mantra blowing in the wind that trees can ruin the game, constrain its strategy and undermine the quality of the turf and conditions. These may be true, but to sort through the idea of trees and golf, I’m asking politely that superintendents, committees, operators — and my fellow design professionals — take note of the value of trees. A tree is not so much a ‘thing’ as it is an idea. A single tree reaching to the sky can add dimension to the game. With thought, trees can finish the golf landscape we behold and strive to create. Most of all, trees represent time. Many will last longer than all the other elements of a course. Far longer than the grass, the trendy fescue and all of the artificial features we hold so dearly. Let’s just give trees some thought. They deserve it.
1. Strategy. Trees need to be approached for how they fit the game. Golf is an endeavor of strategy. Trees can play a crucial role, but each tree needs to be evaluated in terms of how it affects the game. If a golf hole can be made a better puzzle to be solved because of a tree, let it be. Tillinghast pushed back against the notion that trees could not be integrated to the strategy of a golf hole. Whether we are preserving or planting new, the golf architect who can master the use of trees will be valuable. That architect has a palette far richer than the designer who feels trees are obsolete and more a ‘nuisance.’
2. Appropriateness. Certainly trees should not be advocated just because we can afford them or have plenty to ‘use’ in our designs and plans. Every golf course should be unique, so the options to use less, more or even no trees must be a design decision at its core. This decision must coexist with the other nine thoughts.
3. Environment. Trees have symbiotic relationships with all of nature. Other vegetation, animals, birds and, of course, the senses of those who will play the course, or look out across it with a beverage or cigar. Trees can provide color and protection from wind. They can attract insects or keep certain insects at bay. We must make sure that trees are beneficial, compatible and in harmony with all things on and around a golf course. Trees rely on the soil, the water and the air. Let us also not forget that trees have a special relationship with the space between our ears. When people experience a tree, they see the beauty, smell the scent and hear the rustling of the leaves.
4. Aesthetics. Joyce Kilmer gave us the opening line in her famous poem, I think that I shall never see, A poem lovely as a tree. Just as it is easy for the occasional golf architect or that writer of all things golf to proclaim that trees don’t belong on purist courses, we must appreciate that it is our written descriptions of golf courses than have meant so much throughout the 500-year history of the game. Words matter. Aesthetics may be captured by photographs, but the theme of any great golf course begins as a story. Conformance to an opinion will never be as powerful as telling a story. If trees can add to that power, let them be.
5. Underfoot. Roots, water consumption and a host of other considerations must always be a part of tree evaluation. Don’t take this lightly, make sure the decisions are thoughtful and not knee-jerk in formation. The science of trees — both positive and detrimental — to how a golf course is maintained and kept in good order must always be at the forefront.
6. More or Less. Perhaps of all tree considerations are the subject of quantity. Avoid the salt and pepper approach. Remember, trees are not grass seed procured in bags. Each tree is unique with its own branch formation, height and spirit. Each tree should be thought of as having a personality. In my career I can recall fondly the trips made to remote tree nurseries where colored ribbons were attached to the ‘arms’ and ‘legs’ of what would become part of my work. The most beautiful aspect of trees is the balance between that lone specimen sitting along a knoll, and that naturally appearing cluster that separates one hole from another. The difference between woods, mass plantings, groves, strings and that isolated, lone tree is an art.
7. Turf. It cannot be ignored that turf is king on a golf course. Without turf we have no playing surface. (Although I did play as kid on sand greens and a dirt course, which I wish was still there instead of condominiums and pickleball courts). The experts must be listened to with respect to intrusion by roots, shade, air circulation and seasonal debris. Besides the ‘underfoot’ considerations to the soils as a whole, turf is affected by a host of influences that also occur above the surface. Trees can play a role, so position, proximity and size are the key factors.
8. Long Term Considerations. The list continues — growth (size, height, etc.); cost to care, prune and perhaps even remove; risk and liability (falling limbs, neighboring property, etc.); and whether the variety will attract bees or other fauna. The simple decision to plop a tree in the ground has been repeated by all of us in the golf course business for centuries. Often (too often) when one of us returns 20 or more years later, wow! What bonehead did that? Don’t be that bonehead.
9. Safety. Certainly not by choice is expert testimony on golf liability one of my passions, but as a service to my fellow designers and course owners, I have seen my share of depositions and witness stands. What I can report is that trees are rarely able to control golfers, at least not to any high percentage. First off, trees are living organisms, which means — sorry to say — they will eventually die like all things living. They also change. The carefully planted tree to push players right on a tee shot may also push other players left on another hole. Trees grow, can become obstacles and are rarely high enough to knock down today’s massively high shot trajectory. I will relate an interesting legal case where the very presence of trees separating one fairway from another was the whole legal premise of the injured’s legal counsel. The reasoning? The dense group of trees between the holes prevented the player who hit a wayward shot from yelling ‘FORE” because he could not see any other golfers because of the densely planted trees. Seems contrary to popular wisdom, but it has merit.
10. Trees as Assets. If there was on overriding concept to trees on golf courses, let me suggest it being to think of all trees as assets. At the end of a renovation project or creating a new golf experience, will the trees add value? Whether the question is to preserve or plant, this is the defining thought process when it comes to trees. Are we making the experience better? Is the habitat being improved? Are we making the game more interesting? Will the trees become a liability in any way? Will the superintendent approve?
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© 2025 FRGCA. Reprinting and distribution of this writing is permitted with full attribution and inclusion of all words in their entirely.