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5 Ways to Recycle Your Trees

September 30, 2026April 19, 2023 by The Parke Company

We recently blogged about the benefits of tree removal. Sometimes it’s simply a necessity. But then what? As we all try to do our part to reduce, reuse and recycle, sometimes what we need to do is upcycle. Take that downed tree, and do something decorative with it. Here are five ideas:

Mulch. Not every species of tree will make good mulch, but the ones that do will keep your tree in your very own yard, adding to the landscaping and beauty. After the Christmas holidays, many cities will accept Christmas trees, turning them into mulch to sell back to the community. Check your city government’s website for details.
Firewood. Again, not every tree will make ideal firewood. When we help with tree removal, we’re happy to help you determine what trees would make the best firewood for use in your home.
Coasters/trivets. If you’re feeling really crafty, you can slice small branches into coasters and larger branches into trivets for use in your kitchen and dining room. A simple stain or varnish and some felt on the bottom will help them last and protect your furniture.
Wildlife/bird habitat. Neighbors might not appreciate a random pile of branches in your front yard, but a couple of well places branches and tree trunks in the backyard might make an ideal environment for birds and wildlife.
Woodworking. Does your father-in-law dabble in woodworking like mine does? He can take an old, dried out tree branch and turn it into a beautiful window planter or birdhouse. Again, not all tree species are ideal for woodworking projects, but the right ones create beautiful projects.

If you have questions about tree removal or recycling — make that upcycling — your trees, feel free to give us a call. We’re always happy to help.

How to Start Your Own Backyard Composting System

September 30, 2026April 19, 2023 by The Parke Company

It’s a beautiful time of year. The air is cool and crisp. Comfy, beautiful sweaters are making their way from the back of the closet. And leaves are changing colors all over the country. Beautiful shades of red, orange and yellow take the place of vibrant spring greens.

And then, those leaves fall to the ground.

It becomes quite a chore for homeowners to keep up with the falling leaves during fall and winter lawn care, but instead of bagging and sending them to the landfill. There is another option: composting.

Starting a backyard composting system is fairly easy and requires three basic ingredients: “browns,” “greens,” and water.

The “browns” in the composting recipe are those beautiful colorful (but dead) leaves, branches and twigs that have fallen from trees, shrubs, bushes. The “greens” in the mix refer to fresh grass clippings, fruit and vegetable peels and waste, and even coffee grounds.

Start a compost pile (or fill a bin) now with those three ingredients, turn and mix frequently, and you’ll have ready-to-use compost in as little as two months. You’re basically creating the food for the following season’s landscaping.

For more on starting your own composting system, what to use and what not to use, visit TreeHugger.com.

How to Protect Nashville Trees from Construction

September 30, 2026April 19, 2023 by The Parke Company

With a spike in our economy, there becomes an increase in construction. We’ve all seen it – in downtown Nashville for the new convention center, new education buildings at Belmont University and even new homes in West Nashville neighborhoods. But a common question that should be addressed is how to protect your trees when construction happens around your home or commercial business. There are many different precautions and the Parke Company can help you protect them through the duration of the project.

1. Protective fencing and signage – Protective fencing is always a highly recommended method for your trees. Many cities such as Forest Hills, Oak Hill, Brentwood and Belle Meade require this in constructions zones already. In addition, proper signage is a great way to alert construction zones of tree protection. The Parke Company can assist in providing proper signage as well as working with contractors and installing fences.

2. Transplants – Although this is best done during a tree’s dormancy period (fall and winter), transplanting your trees is a great way to ensure protection during construction. The Parke Company can advise in the proper protocol for this option and aide in transplanting during or at the end of the construction project.

3. Tree removal consultations – It is typically less expensive to remove the trees before construction begins, but first have the trees inspected for health and lifespan. The Parke Company will coordinate with building contractors and designers to assess what trees are worth protecting and worth saving. If you have begun construction already, don’t worry! It’s never too late to evaluate the health and longevity your trees

4. Chemical treatments – This is a much trickier option and takes experienced licensed professionals complete the job. However, these treatments use growth stimulators and regulators to control the growth rate of the tree as construction is going on. Although chemical treatments do require professional help, the Parke Company is licensed company in the state of Tennessee (Tennessee Pesticide Charter #1868).

5. Root pruning – Have roots properly pruned underground before construction begins. This service will decrease negative impact on the trees, as well as minimize problems during construction.

Whether you want to use chemical treatments or simply surround your trees with a fence, The Parke Company is available to advise you with multiple options. Many times, coordinating ways to protect your trees with a professional and building supervisors before the construction begins is the most effective way to get the job done. Take the time to map out strategies for tree protection that works best for your project. For Music City to prosper and grow, construction will be necessary; however, do not forget about the health prosperity of Nashville’s trees. The Parke Company is always readily available to give advice, provide services and answer your questions.

For more information, call 615-405-6548.

3 Ways to Save Water and Your Landscaping

September 30, 2026April 19, 2023 by The Parke Company

It’s hard a balance to strike sometimes: Watering your trees and landscaping while utilizing resources responsibly. With the summertime heat and drought restrictions in place for watering in many cities across the country, providing your plants with enough of the wet stuff can be a challenge.

There are creative ways to collect and use water, though, saving one of our most precious natural resources along the way. Consider the following:

Rain barrels. Rain barrels collect rain water as it falls from the sky and drips from the roof of your home. Not only do the barrels store water for future use, they also help decrease demand for local water resources during the hottest months of the year. Use of rain barrels can help save money and protect our water as a natural resource.
Rain gardens. A rain garden is a group of native perennial plants and soil arranged in such a way to absorb and best manage storm water runoff. These gardens catch pollutants and ensure that those pollutants and storm water runoff don’t interfere with or harm local water resources. Even the smallest of rain gardens can make a positive impact on our water supply.
Passive watering systems. A great example of a passive watering system is an underground drip system. Installed just below the ground (or underneath the mulch or stone in your landscaping), such a system delivers water directly to your plants’ roots, ensuring that every drop is used by your tree and plants, making evaporation minimal.

If you’d like to learn more about these watering methods or others which can help best care for your landscaping during these dry summer months, contact us. We’re happy to help.

How To Decorate Trees and Bushes Safely for Christmas

September 30, 2026April 19, 2023 by The Parke Company

Your Christmas gifts to the children? Toys and games. Your gift to Santa? Milk and cookies. Your gift to the neighbors? A festive yard, tastefully decorated for the holidays.

From decorator’s magazines to holiday movie classics like A Christmas Story, inspiration abounds. Possibilities for holiday landscape decorating range from the outlandish to the refined. Some homeowners prefer the simplicity of white lights sparingly draped around small pines or other conifers. Others may enjoy the delicate look of muted, duo-toned, fragile ornament balls and glass icicles.

And then there are always the show (and traffic) stoppers: The life-sized, inflatable, “Santa-in-his-sleigh-with-reindeer” on the roof; Goliath-sized candy canes lining the front walk; and enough multi-colored, flashing lights to require installation of an additional electrical service box.

Usually interested in giving advice about a different type of tree trimming, Tree Service of Nashville offers a few ideas about deciduous and evergreen adornment. Applying principles of interior decorating to exterior holiday decorating will not only give your yard style, it’ll also save you time for holiday shopping when you nail that tasteful look the first time.

1. Consider the overall space to maintain balance. Take stock of the number of lights, ornaments, etc. you have on hand and don’t over-embellish one area at the expense of another.

2. Stick to a decorating theme. Don’t use small ornaments in one area and large in another. If you have both on hand, mix throughout your foliage.

3. Pay attention to the details. Just because ornaments are in the yard doesn’t mean they should get away with being shabby. Toss out any broken ornaments or frayed ribbon and garland.

Of course these principles can apply to many aspects of yard design year-round. From lawn mowing to tree removal, Tree Service of Nashville can show you how quality lawn services can make you a favorite among your East Nashville, Belle Meade or Brentwood neighbors. For information on best practices for lawn maintenance, contact Tree Service of Nashville today!