Even in the wintertime, Landscape Services beautifies the MSU Forest Akers Golf Courses by transplanting certain trees throughout the courses.

On the morning of Feb. 2, Landscape Services Equipment Operators Jason Richter and John Jonckheere used the Big John Model 90D tree spade, hauled by a Ford F8000 truck, to uproot a white pine from Hole 10 and take it to Hole 7.

Richter and Bob Whybrew, operations supervisor I at the golf course, snugly tied the tree with twine while Jonckheere operated the truck and spade levers. Whybrew said this was one of eight trees they will move from Hole 10.

"The thinning out of certain areas prevents overgrowth," Whybrew said.

Richter and Jonckheere started transporting trees this year in early January, saying that most of this work is done between February and April of every year "When the ground is frozen, it’s easier to remove the tree," Whybrew said. "Otherwise, it would sink in the turf."

Richter agreed and laughed, saying they "avoid getting hit by golf balls" by doing it in the winter.

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February 5, 2009