Approved Document OPW24-0047 Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort Turf & Vegetation Management Plan 2024-25

I NTRODUCTION                                                                   T REE P LANTING G UIDELINES                                                     P LAN T
                                                                                                                                                                   •      Pre-soak the root ball in the pot to ensure hydration of compost while you
Noosa Spring Golf Course is a members-only golf course located on the           Steps to get it Right                                                              •      Create the hole and de-compact the surrounding ground as required.
southern side of the Noosa Council suburb of Noosa Heads adjacent to                                                                                               •      Drain the pot/plant in the hole while you
                                                                                    1.   Identify suitable Planting Locations
Lake Weyba. The fairways are divided by densely treed corridors which                                                                                              •      Prepare your stakes and ties
                                                                                    2.   Choose the right tree for the right place
are a mix of remnant, natives, and augmented by planted landscape                                                                                                  •      Remove the pot/bag and tease out the root ball
                                                                                    3.   Prepare the planting location
feature trees.                                                                                                                                                     •      Prune the girdling/woody roots with sharp secateurs
                                                                                    4.   Plant
                                                                                    5.   Nourish & Maintain                                                        •      Insert the stakes in the correct position
This Tree Management Plan is designed to guide the active management
                                                                                                                                                                   •      Position the tree at the correct depth in the hole – a stake can be used to
of the treescape at the golf course to ensure that they continue to enhance
the aesthetics, amenity, and strategic sporting prowess the trees provide       L O C AT IO N , L O C AT IO N , L O C AT IO N                                             help with levelling
                                                                                Not every empty space is suitable for planting. It is important to consider        •      Backfill the hole, gently compressing the soil
for patrons.
                                                                                the hydrology of the area, the use (occupancy) of the area, and the ultimate       •      Create the watering dish at the surface
                                                                                size of the tree, all of which can determine the amount of maintenance             •      Mulch area the tree
T REESCAPE                                                                      required for the future. When you find your location, you can decide on the        •      Water/feed – approximately 5-10 litres per tree depending on the
                                                                                style best suited for purpose.                                                            hydration of soil.
The treescape at the Noosa Springs Golf Course is a combination of
mature and emerging natives and landscape feature trees. Each age class         R IG H T T R EE , R IGH T P L AC E
of tree has different requirements for care and management.                     The style of planting is dependant on the outcome that is required;
                                                                                individual trees planted alone for specimen or memorial value; linear
G ENERAL P RUNING T ECHNIQUES                                                   groups for shade; groups of threes or fives for interest; and mass planting
                                                                                to create a boundary, privacy, cluster or forest effect.
D E A DW O O D & D ET AI L
The removal of dead wood (>40mm in diameter and/or 1m in length),               Within public spaces, trees provide shade, amenity and a sense of
dysfunctional, diseased, weakly attached, and low-vigor branches from the       wellbeing that endorses a sense of community. In public areas trees
tree’s canopy.                                                                  planted in garden beds in groups of three or five contribute a greater impact
                                                                                than single planting and are more practical and generally establish better.
L I FT P R UN E                                                                 Where single trees are required, an increased mulched area will improve
Remove the lower branches from a tree to provide clearance.                     establishment. The initial plant size can be smaller and so more cost-
                                                                                effective, maintenance and watering are more efficient. The planting bed
R E DU C T IO N
                                                                                covers a larger area increasing the quantity and benefits of the mulch
Canopy reduction aims to reduce the overall size of a tree by reducing a
                                                                                application. The shape and size of the beds can be tailored to suit the
tree’s height or spread. This is accomplished by pruning back the leaders
                                                                                available space aiding maintenance as mowing around a larger mulch bed
and branch terminals to suitable secondary branches large enough to
                                                                                is easier than individual trees which can in the end just hamper the
assume the terminal roles (at least one-third the diameter of the cut stem),
                                                                                mowing.
while maintaining the tree’s form and structural integrity.                                                                                                               Figure 1: NUFA-tree planting guide-HR – Arboriculture Australia
                                                                                When the style of planting is known, and the location has been chosen,
End-weight reduction is achieved by trimming off the concentration of                                                                                           N O UR ISH & M AIN T A IN
                                                                                species selection becomes easier. Always think of the fully-grown tree.
excessive wood and foliage weight towards the extremity of the branch to                                                                                        While the tree is establishing additional maintenance will be required
lessen the overall load and branch failure potential.                           P R EP AR AT IO N
                                                                                                                                                                   •      Moisture level monitoring – and watering if required
                                                                                As a guide, an area measuring 2m x 6m can accommodate three trees at
Reduce and Retain is usually instructed for important habitat trees when                                                                                           •      Regular applications of a plant food /soil conditioner as per manufacturer's
                                                                                2m spacings with a 1m on either end. At this spacing, the trees have 12m2
the trees I no longer viable thereby reducing the tree to a safe height and                                                                                               instructions
                                                                                of improved ground in which to establish. The tree sizes can range from
size to limit hazards while retaining the remainder, including many hollows,                                                                                       •      Formative pruning
                                                                                300mm pots up to 100L stock, within a few years the trees usually grow to
for habitat.                                                                                                                                                       •      Stake and tie adjustments as required
                                                                                the same size and often the smaller planted trees are in better health with
                                                                                                                                                                   •      Re-mulching
R ET R EN C H M EN T P R UN E                                                   fewer establishment requirements.
                                                                                                                                                                   •      Hand weeding to avoid use of herbicides
Retrenchment pruning reduces the larger dominant leaders to allow the
tree to develop a new inner crown below the current one, resulting in a
                                                                                When selecting a planting site, it is recommended the condition of the             •      Extend the mulch bed as the tree grows
shorter but still living tree. Larger, heavier branches should be prioritized
                                                                                soil/ground is examined and if poor soil is found improvements made. De-           •      Underplant with grown covers for increased aesthetics where appropriate
                                                                                compaction by gentle cultivation to a depth of 300-500mm is a quick way
working from the top down. Lower dead branches can be retained if safe
                                                                                to resolve this, and introducing compost and sandy loam is recommended.
to do so. Retrenchment pruning helps reduce the wind load and stress
                                                                                The site can then be mulched and where and when possible, left for a few
placed on a tree helping to prevent storm damage and extend the life of
                                                                                months to allow for the soil life to establish and the mulch to begin to
the tree.
                                                                                compost down. It is possible for trees to be planted immediately but they
                                                                                will require additional after planting care. Watering with a weak dilution of
                                                                                a seaweed-based plant food/soil conditioner will help to reduce the stress
                                                                                placed on the new trees and improve the soil for long-term growth.
                                                                                Trees are to be selected for good root development and form. Refer to AS
                                                                                2303:2015 Tree stock for landscape use for tree stock quality standards.


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