By Design - Fall 2019

21 it would be done at a dry time of year when there was considerable wind, which was not helped by activity from the adjacent Palo Alto Airport. Dust mitigation protocols from local, state and federal agencies would be in place, and the team ran the risk of getting poor seed germination as a result of the natural restrictions from the environment. “We needed some stabilization to not only grow-in the native grasses and native plants, but we also needed a tackifier. We needed something to keep the seeds in place and guard against erosion. This was extremely important,” said Richardson. The team turned to Profile’s Thermally Refined Wood Mulch with Tackifier, a non-toxic, biodegradable product made from 100 percent recycled thermally-refined wood fiber. The product is completely environmentally sound and highly effective for preventing soil erosion while also offering the tackifier effects Richardson and his team were looking for, all while promoting quick germination. “We knew this project was on a lot of people’s radars for environmental reasons,” said Randy Hamilton, market manager for Profile. “Once we heard the team’s concerns about dust control, wind and other challenges on site, we were confident Profile’s Thermally Refined Wood Mulch with Tackifier would provide the performance and value they were looking for.” The project contractor, Wadsworth Golf Construction Company, mixed Profile’s Thermally Refined Wood Mulch with Tackifier with sprigs in a 2,000-gallon hydro-seeding truck and applied the mix to the 45 acres. The application was completed in October 2016, and the benefits of Terra-Wood were immediately noticeable. “It basically seals in the moisture and helps the sprigs germinate very quickly,” said Wadsworth president Patrick Karnick. “We were very pleased with the application and the results.” The use of Profile’s Wood Mulch with Tack accelerated plant growth, with the team seeing germination within about five days, said Karnick. The ultimate test came six months after hydro-sprigging was completed when biologists from city and federal agencies conducted a site visit to assess and certify that the course grow-in was complying with minimal growth standards of at least 50 percent germination. Grow-in was nearly 75 percent during the inspection, with the wetlands and hillock areas were more than 90 percent grown-in by the nine-month period, according Richardson. “The biologist on the project was extremely impressed with the progress. He couldn’t have been happier. He was particularly concerned about the wetlands during his assessment,” said Richardson. Profile’s Thermally Refined Wood Mulch also brought cost benefits. It was less expensive than alternative solutions such as rolled erosion control products or blankets. • Find out more about Profile Products at www.profileproducts.com . Re ad more about Baylands Golf Links — and other projects featured in the Design Excellence Recognition Program — in the February 2019 issue of By Design . Photo: Dave Sansom