ASHEVILLE (N.C.) — The city has recommended that 157 oak, cherry, and pine trees be removed from the historic Asheville Municipal Golf Course. Staff believe this is necessary to make the course more playable and to prolong the life of the trees.
Chris Corl, director of Community and Regional Entertainment Facilities for the city, stated that this estimate is lower than its original U.S. estimate. The report of the Golf Association tree evaluation, which recommended removal of 500 trees, was rejected by some members from the Urban Forestry Commission. Residents and environmentalists in the area urged the city to reject this plan and demand further review.
The Urban Forestry Commission approved four recommendations at its December 6 meeting. They will be sent to Asheville City Council Corl’s Department and to course manager Commonwealth Gold Partners – II Asheville LLC.
Three people spoke out during public comment to support saving the trees. They questioned both the report’s viability and the removal plan. The commission received approximately 80 written comments. Many of these messages were similar, according to Chair Amy Smith.
Nancy Casey was one of those who spoke. She has been instrumental in gaining support for the course’s trees through the creation of a Facebook group.
The commission made recommendations that included the following: A certified arborist to review all trees scheduled for removal using an industry-standard tree risk assessment standard; a detailed and specific replanting program including species and abundance; details on soil testing, herbicides, and other chemicals; further exploration of alternative methods to remove the trees, including pruning.
The motion was unanimously approved by all six present.
Corl stated that while future tree removals do not require City Council approval but they can add the matter to their upcoming agenda to change the scope or put the brakes on it.
Although the Urban Forestry Commission cannot reject the project, they can make suggestions and provide insight.
Chris Corl, Asheville’s director for Community and Regional Entertainment Facilities, stands above the sinkhole formed at the Asheville Municipal Golf Course in October 2022. (Photo: Angela Wilhelm/Asheville Citizen Times)
The short- and long-term plans include tree removal, thinning, and replacement. Trees have an impact on drainage, water access, and shading.
Corl stated that the project will not result in any net loss of long-term tree canopy and that he will replant both on and off-property to comply with city ordinances.
Corl saw the recommendations and predicted that they would be addressed as soon as possible.
Corl stated that as long as the request is not going to cost too much money or financially endanger the project, it’s okay.
Commonwealth Golf took control of the public course, which was previously owned by the city, on October 1 under a seven-year management license.
Donald Ross, a Hall of Fame golf architect, designed the 18-hole course and it was opened for play in 1927. This is the home of the longest-running professional tournament in the nation, which is owned and managed by Blacks.
The city claims that the course conditions have deteriorated over the past 10 years of Pope Golf’s ownership. This has led to the fairways, greens and tees falling into disrepair. The trees along the course are a concern. Many of them are overgrown and hang over the property. Roots can also be seen on the cart paths and greens, preventing grass growth and protecting golfer sightlines.
Pope Golf is currently the subject of a lawsuit by the city. It claims $340,830 in unpaid lease payments.
Corl stated that efforts to remove trees in order to improve the course’s conditions are not new and that funding has never been available for this purpose. Corl said that many of the areas they are focusing on have been in bad shape for decades, even if they were run by the county and city before Pope Golf.
In its tentative capital improvement plan, the city has allocated $250,000 to tree removal, thinning and replacement.
Corl stated, “It’s an opportunity to really do what the city, county, and private operator in past have all wanted to, tried to do but failed to do,” Corl said, “That could be a really big boost to that neighborhood and that course, long-term.”
What trees can be removed?
The evaluation and the resulting statistics were the culmination of multiple evaluations. They began with the USGA Tree Evaluation at $3,500, followed by a review with a professional golfer to identify priority trees, and finally evaluations with Tree Risk Assessment Qualification certified arborists. Both Mark Foster and a private arborist, respectively, completed the evaluation.
The evaluation recommended that 157 of the 2,387 trees be removed from the property. This would mean the property has an average of 20 trees per acre and remove 6.88% of its total trees.
Ten trees that were recommended to be removed are considered invasive. Six trees are recommended for removal solely to improve golf play and are otherwise healthy. Corl says the rest are unhealthy or “hazardous”, which was the basis of many of the arguments at the meeting.
The majority of trees that could be removed are white oak or red oak, with many cherry, shortleaf and red oak also being considered.
Corl stated that the plan provides protections for trees with nests of hawks and they will not disturb others within a 25 foot radius.
He predicted that the February and March months would see the most trees being removed.
Ed Macie, a member of the Commission, expressed concern over how the risk assessment was done. He also asked if trees that were marked as a hazard or dying, or leaning, could be solved by other options than their removal. He stated that the report contained many “generalities.”
Macie stated that there are many trees being cut down and that it could pose a serious risk to the environment. He suggested that other methods could be used to reduce that risk.
Foster, a city arborist, was one of the evaluators.
Foster stated, “If you want all the trees to be preserved, then you can definitely have a nonfunctional, non-money-making golf course that looks really bad.” Foster said, “I don’t see the point in having a city facility that doesn’t perform its function.”
Patrick Gilbert, a member of the Commission, backed up Macie’s points.
He said, “I agree that we need a more technical evaluation of the trees that will be removed.”
Sarah Honosky, the Asheville Citizen Times’ reporter on city government, is part of USA TODAY Network. News Tips Email [email protected] or message on Twitter at @slhonosky.
