PHOTO A: The brown areas on this green are dry spots caused by poplar tree roots. Poplar trees’ aggressive root systems often grow close to the soil surface. These tree roots, if allowed to grow unchecked under turf, steal nutrients and water from the grass, causing weak turf and, sometimes, brown areas like the ones shown. A cross section of soil from the collar shows the extent of the problem. Trenching pruned all the roots, and a barrier was installed to prevent the tree roots from regrowing under the green.

Photo from John Mascaro’s collection and photographed by his father, Tom.

PHOTO B: The brown spots on this collar and green are a result of foot traffic on a day when a light frost occurred. It was too tempting to show this photo during the heat of summer; however, it should be used as a reminder to players about the effects of walking on turf while frost is still on the plant. Many golfers don’t realize that when a light frost is on the grass blades, water inside the leaves also is frozen solid. Since water is the main component of grass tissue, when the water inside the turf is frozen, traffic causes the ice crystals in the grass cells to puncture through the cell walls, killing the leaf tissue and causing the resulting brown turf. With a heavy freeze, the growing point or crown of the turf also is frozen, and foot or vehicular traffic injury will cause the entire plant to die.

Photo submitted by Gary Morris, superintendent at Ole Miss Golf Club in Oxford, Miss., and a 17-year GCSAA member.