The Parke Company | The Parke Company

What Landscaping Should Be Done in the Fall?

August 27, 2025September 29, 2023 by The Parke Company

Woman with a wheelbarrow in an autumnal garden with colorful foliage and wooden structures.

Fall is the perfect season to get some critical landscaping done, whether it’s maintenance or entirely new work. Here are the landscaping services you need for this autumn in preparation for winter and the coming spring.

Landscaping Services to Complete This Fall

Yard Cleanup

The spring and summer storms that are so common in this area tend to leave your yard under piles of sticks and other debris. With fall leaves falling on top of that, getting control of your yard can be a challenge. If things are piling up and your to-do list is mounting before winter, don’t panic. The best method for clearing your yard is to do it in stages. Removing sticks before the bulk of leaves fall will make raking, leaf-blowing, or mulching leaves much easier. Most areas in and around Nashville have brush removal, so familiarize yourself with their schedule so that sticks don’t sit for too long along the road.

Removing sticks from your flower beds and garden will ensure that they grow more healthily in the spring. You’ll also be keeping pests and other insects clear of your garden by keeping them free of leaves and other debris. Pruning should be kept to a minimum during the fall, as it’s best suited for the late winter, but some pruning can be beneficial. You should prune high-risk limbs that could cause property damage as soon as you notice them. It’s important to leave tree pruning to professional arborists, however, especially in the fall. Improper tree pruning can leave a tree highly susceptible to damage from frost and winter dryness. As for shrubs and bushes, it’s usually safe to go for it on your own, but follow pruning best practices. Always be safe, and make sure you’re properly cutting limbs to keep them safe. Fall landscaping can be hard, as pruning and cleanups are not always easy to do on your own.

Autumn landscaping and maintenance starts with a clean lawn. If you’re worried about going it alone, you can always contact The Parke Company for a comprehensive fall cleanup. We offer one-off cleanup services and landscape maintenance plans to ensure that your yard looks immaculate all year round.

Winter-Proof Your Property

Getting ready for the coming winter can be a challenge because Nashville weather is always a bit unpredictable. Will we see snow again, or should we expect a milder, wetter winter? We know winter is a pause on most landscaping activities, but is it better to landscape in the fall or spring? The answer depends on the type of landscaping you’re doing. There are certain aspects of landscaping that might be better suited for the fall, while other things should obviously be done in the spring. Mulching, for instance, can be done in the fall for one purpose and in the spring for another. In the fall, we add mulch around our trees and plants in order to stabilize soil temperature. While most trees and native plants in Nashville can withstand a cold winter, it never hurts to give them a helping hand. Mulch can help to retain moisture and warmth, keeping a tree far healthier and more resistant to cold temperatures if winter gets bad.

Another way to make sure your property is prepared for winter is to have your irrigation system tuned up and winterized. Even small traces of water in underground sprinkler pipes can freeze and expand, causing damage to the system. It’s important to have an irrigation system specialist inspect and winterize your system before cold weather becomes a factor, as repairing damage can be costly. Fall landscaping services from The Parke Company can include the maintenance, upgrades, and even installation of irrigation systems. Soil conditions in the fall are perfect for digging and making changes, and reseeding can be done now to ensure that you won’t have bare spots in the spring.

Prep Work for Spring

So what landscaping should you do in the fall? Fertilizing your lawn in addition to aerating it each fall can help give it a boost come spring. Fertilizing soil can give your lawn much-needed energy and sustenance while grass goes dormant as things get colder. Summer, especially dry summers like we’ve experienced in previous years, can really fry a lawn. Aerating and fertilizing in the fall can help revitalize a lawn so it’s ready for spring. You can even get a headstart on planting in the fall. Using the cooler weather to your advantage, spend some time in the garden planting bulbs for flowers like daffodils and tulips this fall. They will be perfectly safe all winter long and emerge in the spring for a beautiful pop of color.

While it’s also a part of fall cleanup, don’t neglect your existing plants. If you had dying, unsightly, or overgrown plants in the summer, remove them now rather than leaving them for the spring. While you can’t plant much to replace these removed plants now, it’s best not to let them rot in the winter. Dead plants play host to a variety of pests that can cause damage to other healthy plants, even in the fall and winter. Remove weeds and make note of problem areas so that you can try some new prevention efforts. Using weed barrier fabric in garden beds is a great way to keep your lawn weed-free, and fall is the perfect season to get that situated. You can leave cut-outs in the barrier around existing plants and make new additions in the spring if need be, but this ensures that weeds and other plants can’t grow in the areas you don’t want things growing. No matter your lawn’s condition this summer, preparing for the spring needs to begin in the early fall.

How to Prepare Your Landscaping for Fall

If you’re ready to get your landscaping work handled this fall, don’t hesitate to look for professional help. From fall cleanup to irrigation installation and everything in between, give the pros at The Parke Company a call.

How Arborist Consulting Services Enhance Your Property

October 11, 2024September 13, 2023 by The Parke Company

When it comes to tree care, there is no better expert than an arborist. Arborist consulting services can greatly enrich your property environmentally and, by extension, aesthetically. Let’s explore how you can benefit from arborist consulting services.

What to Know About Arborist Consulting Services

Defining Arborist Consulting Services

Arborist consulting services are available across the country from certified arborists. Let’s make sure we understand what an arborist is.

What Is a Consulting Arborist?

An arborist is a person with extensive knowledge of trees. That much should be obvious to anyone reading this, but what exactly does an expertise in trees entail? The basic definition of an arborist is a tree surgeon, and it really is that intense. Arborists are experts at diagnosing, preventing, and safely treating tree disease and infection. They literally perform surgery on trees because trees are complex living organisms that can die from something as simple as improper pruning. Now that you understand the delicate nature of being a tree surgeon, let’s learn more about what a consulting arborist is and what they can do.

The Levels of Arboriculture

Did you know that in order to become a certified arborist, you need to pass an exam? When you want to take tree care seriously, you call an arborist. Tree experts with at least three years of full-time experience in the professional tree care industry can take an exam to become certified arborists. The American Society of Consulting Arborists has many levels of membership, but being a certified arborist is a major milestone. Beyond that title, the role of a consulting arborist requires even more certification and experience. If you’re working with a consulting arborist, you can rest assured that you’re getting the best of the best. With all this in mind, it’s time to learn what arborist consulting services are available near you.

What does a consulting arborist do? If it involves trees, they do practically everything. Here are some of the specific services you can expect if you work with an arborist from The Parke Company.

Planning and Planting

Many times, when you buy a property, it comes with some trees. But have you ever seen a home or other property that just seems to be a step above the rest when it comes to its greenery? It’s probably because an arborist set out to actually plan the lay of the land. With their unique skills and years of experience, arborists are experts at determining the optimal location for trees around a property. It takes a lot of knowledge to plan a property layout, and it extends further than just knowing which tree to plant. Other considerations a consulting arborist must make when plotting a property include local climate, soil and air quality, drainage, and a variety of other environmental factors. The details a consulting arborist will consider cover everything from the number of trees to the expected canopy size of each and how much sunlight they need.

Pruning

You might be tempted to prune a tree on your property yourself, but the reality is that this surprisingly delicate process is best left to a professional arborist. There are a few reasons why tree pruning should only be done by an arborist, but one of the primary reasons is your own safety. Pruning a limb, no matter how small, can be dangerous if it’s done improperly. Even if you aren’t climbing a ladder, the risk of personal injury or property damage from pruning accidents is high. That only compounds when the size of the limb is larger or if it’s higher than shoulder height. Arborists have specialized equipment and hundreds of hours of pruning experience under their belts, meaning they’re prepared to safely prune a tree. Without the right equipment, pruning a tree can be extremely dangerous. It’s not just your safety that matters with pruning, however. While it might not seem that complicated, it’s very easy to improperly prune a tree. Besides leaving the tree looking a little lopsided, improper pruning can invite a variety of pests and diseases to set up residence in your tree. Pruning a tree involves wound care because a removed branch will leave live wood exposed to the elements. A consulting arborist can ensure that the pruned limbs are removed safely for you, your property, and the tree itself.

Tree Removal

Fully removing a tree is a big undertaking. Much like pruning but on a much larger scale, safely cutting down a tree takes a lot of planning and skill. Trees can be massive, and that scale is often missed when you’re looking at it standing securely in your yard. They can weigh tons, and just cutting them down without planning can be very dangerous. An arborist can assess the tree’s health and determine the best way to remove it. Typically, arborists cut down trees in pieces. First, they will remove the lower limbs of a tree, using ropes to guide their fall to ensure safety. Next, they will take off the top portion of the tree and continue downward, cutting roughly equal-sized pieces until the tree is down to the stump. This process involves complicated cuts, repositioning of ladders or bucket loaders, and a number of safety measures that the average homeowner doesn’t have at their disposal. Ultimately, tree removal is a complicated job that should be left to consulting arborists.

While there are many other services that consulting arborists can provide, these encompass the major elements of their profession. No matter what your tree problem or concern is, an arborist can help you get it right. If you’re looking for a consulting arborist near you, look no further than the experts at The Parke Company.

Expert Stump Removal & Tree Services for Your Home

October 11, 2024August 28, 2023 by The Parke Company

Tree removal is a complicated process, and it doesn’t stop once the body of the tree is safely felled. Professional stump removal is a tricky process that really does call for the experts. Here’s how it works and why you should work with the pros.

What to Know About Stump Removal

Why Opt for Stump Removal?

There are plenty of reasons why you might have a stump in your yard. Whether you just had a tree removed or a stump came with your new home purchase, they aren’t uncommon. But stumps are a real hassle in practically every sense, so let’s explore why you need stump removal.

The most obvious reason for wanting a stump gone from your yard is that it’s an eyesore. People who take pride in their landscaping will attest to how much a stump can disrupt the flow of a lawn, but everyone knows they just don’t look great. No matter how low you cut a stump, you’re going to have disruptions in the way grass grows. Want to install a stone pathway or plant more flowers? That stump might get in the way in the future. Stumps impose both an aesthetic disruption and a physical one. Stumps can be hazards in the lawn when you’re walking, mowing, or when your kids are playing. Even if you think you’re used to the stump, it can prove to be a tripping risk when you’re in a hurry or distracted while doing yard work.

Stumps are also risky to other trees and plants in your landscaping. Stumps are great places for pests to build burrows or lay eggs, and they can take over quickly. Within years, a stump can attract termites and other insects, which will feed on the dead wood first. Once they’re finished, they can move on to other trees or even your home. Tree stump removal is the only way to ensure that you’re not ringing the dinner bell for invasive and noninvasive pests that consider your trees a long-term meal. Besides insects, diseases can also set in on stumps due to their preference for dead wood. A stump is an open, gaping wound in a tree, and trees don’t die right away when they’re cut down. That exposed trunk all along the top of a tree is very inviting to fungal diseases, which, much like insects, can spread from the stump to other living trees on your property.

As we mentioned, a stump is still a living tree, at least for a while. In some instances, and with certain species of trees, a stump can actually rally and regrow into a brand-new tree. Shoots (small branches) can grow off the main trunk since the root system of a tree is still alive and nourishing the stump. In time, these shoots can grow into full trees themselves. While this is not common and takes time, it is possible for a neglected stump to suddenly become a new tree. A tree stump removal service provided by The Parke Company ensures this doesn’t happen.

How Stump Removal Works

How does stump removal work, and what services are typically included in stump removal? Stump grinding is one of the primary methods landscaping companies employ to remove a stump. Using a specialized grinding tool, tree service professionals grind a stump down to below the ground level. Typically, the stump is ground down about 6-8 inches from the surface of the lawn. Stump grinding is the cheaper of the two main options for stump removal, with full stump removal being more costly. Since stump grinding is relatively simple with a single main tool, it doesn’t take much labor. It’s quicker to remove a tree via stump grinding. If the stump that was ground down was healthy and recently cut, you can usually keep the ground stump wood as mulch. If there is a risk of disease, however, an arborist may remove the sawdust and mulch to prevent the spread of disease.

While stump grinding gets rid of the visible and physical aspects of a stump above ground, it does leave much of the root system and some of the trunk intact. This means that planting a tree in this place probably won’t work, as the existing root structures will block new roots from growing. While that can be a dealbreaker for some, those unconcerned with planting new trees in that location will see much less mess. Removing a tree and the root displaces a lot of soil, and the time and money spent regrowing the lawn that was damaged is more of a commitment. What stump removal and stump grinding have in common is that they’re both efficient ways of removing trees. They are also far more environmentally friendly and safe for wildlife and yourself. Various at-home stump removal methods either don’t work, involve harsh and toxic chemicals, or just take far too long. Stump grinding and removal are not expensive processes, especially considering how much time and effort you can waste doing it on your own.

Other Tree Services to Consider

If you’re researching stump removal near you, maybe you have other tree service concerns. From pruning and trimming to planting and beyond, finding the right tree service provider is important. In many cases, arborists can cut down a tree and remove the stump in the same day. You can also opt to simply have the tree cut down and leave the stump. A trained arborist can offer you their professional opinion on what services your yard may need, and the best servicers provide free consultations and estimates. If you’re in the Nashville area and you’re looking for stump removal or other professional tree services, The Parke Company is here to help. With decades of experience, we’re one of Nashville’s premier tree service providers, and we take that title seriously.

Ready to explore your stump removal options or need to get some estimates on other tree services for your home? Give us a call today at The Parke Company, and find out why it’s always best to go with the experts.

Removing Tree Roots Without Killing the Tree: Can It Be Done and How?

June 17, 2024August 13, 2023 by The Parke Company

The roots in your lawn are important for drawing nutrients and hydration for the trees around your property. But when roots become unsightly or run the risk of damaging underground pipes and other infrastructure, is it possible to remove the problem roots without killing the tree?

What to Know About Removing Tree Roots

Understanding Tree Roots

A tree’s roots are an important part of its health, and they serve many purposes. Let’s explore some of the primary reasons why trees spread their roots the way they do.

A tree’s roots are first and foremost a tree’s circulatory system. Roots spread into the soil and soak in water, nutrients, and even oxygen, which are all necessary for a tree’s ongoing development. Most tree roots grow in the top six to 24 inches of soil, and they usually spread out two to four times further than the width of the trunk. This means a single tree can create hundreds of feet of roots that spread out radially.

There are two major types of root: perennial and feeder. Feeder roots are smaller and grow upward, toward the surface, in search of water, oxygen, and nutrients. Perennial roots grow much larger and act as water and nutrient storage for the tree. These larger roots also serve the other major purpose of a tree’s root system: anchoring the tree. A tree with a healthy root system is far more structurally sound, meaning it can grow larger and is less likely to be knocked over by the wind. All in all, the roots of a tree are critical for its health. Removing tree roots is a risky activity when considering the overall health of a tree.

Removing Tree Roots: Can It Be Done?

With all of the things we know about roots now, you might think the idea of removing them is a foregone conclusion. Fortunately, when left to the experts, there are ways of removing tree roots without killing the tree. Not every tree has roots that pose issues for homeowners, but many can if they aren’t planted properly. Some trees that have naturally shallow roots in the Nashville area include species of maple, beech, and willow trees. If you have trees like these, you might be seeing unsightly roots in your lawn. Not only do they make for an eyesore, but they pose a tripping risk and can greatly damage lawnmowers and other lawn equipment.

Many times, trees on properties aren’t planted with their root systems in consideration. Since we can’t travel through time and plant the trees over again, we need to know how to handle problem roots when they do crop up. How do you get rid of tree roots in your lawn without killing the tree? Just like with pruning a tree’s branches and limbs, removing roots requires a high degree of precision. As a natural rule of thumb, you can safely remove about 25% of a tree’s roots without killing it. Even following this rule is not a perfect science, however. Disease and pests can use damaged roots to enter a tree and spread within. It’s always very important to consult a skilled arborist when considering tree root removal.

How to Safely Remove Roots

So, can you remove tree roots without killing the tree? Probably not on your own, and it’s certainly not advisable to try to DIY. This is a task best left to the professionals, who know how to approach this task with care. Removing a tree’s visible surface roots, or deeper roots that threaten underground pipes for sewage or irrigation, can all be done safely by a skilled arborist. Here’s how they do it.

When removing surface roots, the ends of the roots cannot be exposed to the elements. Once an arborist cuts the roots away, they will usually cover the area with a mix of soil and compost and apply grass seed. This helps to keep pests and vermin from causing further damage to the root system. Another important axiom in root removal is balance. A tree’s roots help keep it standing upright, and if you remove roots only from one side, you risk throwing off its balance. Even if some roots aren’t visible on the other side of the tree, it’s a good idea to try and remove some from the soil on that side as well. It’s best to divide the root system into four sections and prune the roots evenly. Roots can be chipped away and cut with shovels and other implements. It’s not enough to simply chip away the visible roots; the whole root should be cut off from the tree. This helps ensure that disease doesn’t set in. Another important part of root removal is ensuring that you don’t remove roots too close to the tree. The closer a root is to the tree, the more important it is. In some cases, that may mean removing roots isn’t advisable.

When removing large roots that are causing issues with sewage pipes, irrigation, or sidewalks and driveways, more consideration needs to be made. These large roots provide a lot of support for a tree, and they also store much of its water. When removing problem roots, it’s important to dig down to them without harming the other roots around them. Roots can often form a tangled mass that spreads out from the base of a tree and can make it tricky to fully remove a root. No matter what, removing large roots should be done with as minimal damage as possible. Plumbers will often need to be called in for this job if the root is damaging the sewer line. They have the tools necessary for removing the root and will usually employ a safe method of removing the root and repairing the pipe. So while tree roots are incredibly important to a tree’s health, they can usually safely be removed if the circumstances call for it.

Removing a tree’s roots without killing the tree is entirely possible, but you need to exercise caution. Many DIY methods use harsh chemicals or just flat out don’t work and only waste your time and money. Ready to remove the tree roots bothering you safely and effectively? Call the experts at The Parke Company today.

4 Landscape Services to Increase Your Home’s Value

August 27, 2025July 27, 2023 by The Parke Company

Today’s housing market is incredibly active and competitive, and excellent landscaping can make a huge difference in your home’s curb appeal. Here are a few of the best landscaping services to set your home apart in this busy market.

Four Landscaping Services to Boost Your Home’s Value

1. Clean It Up

While an elaborate landscaping setup is obviously more attractive to home buyers, your first priority needs to be simple. No matter your budget, work with a reliable landscaping company to clean things up before an open house or real estate photography. Fall and spring cleanup are important, but there’s no right time to sell a house. When you need a lot of work done quickly as you deal with all the other stresses of selling, let the experts handle the dirty work. A cleanup in the hands of a landscaping company goes a long way beyond mowing the lawn and clearing sticks from the yard, too. Tree and plant pruning are simple but important steps to take in making a home look its best. Prospective buyers love wooded lots, but their insurance company may beg to differ. By getting your trees pruned before making a sale, you not only make the whole home more presentable, but you also prevent possible snags during property inspections later in the process. The first thing a home buyer sees is the outside of your home and the surrounding property, so make a clean first impression.

2. Liven Things Up

While cleaning things up in your yard is important when it comes to selling your home, going the distance means adding some life to your home. But is there a motivation for landscaping before selling a home beyond attracting more eyes? What’s the bottom line, financially? How much can landscaping increase home value? A garden, even a simple one, can increase a home’s value by up to 12% in some markets.

Planting flowers and shrubbery to provide your lawn and backyard with brilliant pops of color is an excellent way to draw and keep the gaze of people shopping for a home. When people see a well-manicured lawn and a vibrant garden, they assume the inside will be worth visiting. The opposite is also true, so boring and drab front yards give the wrong impression of what’s going on elsewhere in the home. If you have existing plants in your garden, a landscaping service near you can help breathe new life into them. Maintenance steps like mulching and fertilizing go beyond basic cleaning in order to give your landscaping even more curb appeal. Replacing old and dead trees with fresh, new saplings can also give a better impression. The main goal of landscaping for a home on the market is to give the impression of vibrance and life. When someone moves into a new home, they put down new roots, just like the young trees planted in the front lawn.

3. Irrigation System Installation

What increases the market value of your property? Green lawns sell homes, and adding or updating an irrigation system can be an excellent way to increase a house’s value. Not every home is going to have irrigation, and that’s a huge selling point for people who take pride in their yard. Whether you have a system in place or not, having one for the next homeowner can definitively boost value and set a property apart from other houses in the same market. Repairs and updates are always more affordable than new installations, but even a basic system can be attractive to homebuyers. This is especially true for people who are attracted to suburban areas around Nashville. Whether they’re transplants from out of state or the city, gardening has become a major trend among everyone. With more people than ever flexing their green thumbs, an irrigation system is a major selling point. It doesn’t have to be complicated either, and while you might have concerns about installing pipes in your lawn at the same time you’re trying to sell it, don’t stress. Landscaping services like The Parke Company perform installations and maintenance on irrigation systems in addition to lawn care, meaning we can install a system without anyone ever knowing it was done. Whether a section of the lawn needs reseeding or a quick sodding, we can get the irrigation system installed as if it’s always been a part of your yard.

4. Add Hardscapes and Decor

Having a well-established walkway from the sidewalk or the driveway to the front door of your home creates a flow that can color the entire house tour. Hardscapes like flagstone, concrete, or stone pavers can be used to create an elegant path to guide buyers through the property. An eye-catching hardscape can be a huge draw and benefit to curb appeal. Want to make it even better? By adding lighting to the path, you can ensure that a late evening showing impresses just as much as one does in the daylight. Twilight photos of a property have been shown to increase the attention on a listing by a great deal simply because of how comfortable and charming these dark photos are. When a buyer looks at a home, they are trying to picture themselves in it, and seeing the home’s exterior during the day and the night can give them a clearer image. Patio furniture, planters, and fire pits in the backyard can also provide a much more livable atmosphere. If your backyard is lacking, don’t neglect it simply because it’s not the first thing a buyer sees. What you’ve got hidden around the back of the home should feel like an excellent bonus, not an afterthought. Simple stonework and a cozy fire pit can greatly increase a backyard’s value to a buyer without costing you an arm and a leg. More complex hardscape installations only increase a home’s value more, however, so if you’re really looking to impress, we can help. No matter your budget, the best landscaping company near you can work with you to fit your needs and still deliver an unforgettable first impression.

When your house is on the market, there’s a lot to worry about. Leave the landscaping that can actually increase your home’s value to the professionals so you can focus on your own home search or other aspects of your property. Give the experts at The Parke Company a call for a comprehensive, free estimate.