Residents bemoan tree removal – Austin American-Statesman

Residents upset about the trees being cut down around the Barton Creek Country Club dont have much recourse at the course: the club is within Austins extraterritorial jurisdiction, and neither the city nor, with few exceptions, Travis County regulate what property owners can do with their trees there.

WatersMark neighborhood resident Debbie Courtney, who lives on the edge of the greens off of the golf course, said she was devastated to see a large oak near her home cut down.

They cut down a 100-year-old oak behind my house, Courtney said. They said it could cause problems with the greens, with fungus and stuff and the roots. Its all about making the turf better I felt a real kinship with this tree, and it wasnt discussed. I dont see the problem for the course; it wasnt that close to the greens. But theyre just whopping them all down.

Courtney is also on the architectural review committee of her neighborhood association, which is very strict about what residents can do with trees on their own properties, Courtney said. But they have no jurisdiction over Barton Creek Country Club.

I think its wrong, resident Sue Lowe said. I do understand having to keep the greens in shape, but they should have warned us. And I feel strongly that if they remove trees, they should replace them.

The club emailed its members a statement from its managing director David Jurcak, explaining that the taking down of the trees was necessary for the wellbeing of the course.

Over time, many of the trees on our golf courses began to impact the intended playability and proper conditions for turf growth, the statement reads. After much consultation and consideration, it was determined that in order to improve the playing experience some trees must be removed. It is simply impossible to grow grass under large canopies of shade.

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Residents bemoan tree removal - Austin American-Statesman