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Decorating Homes Safely for the Holiday Season

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

Little known scientific fact: cats get stuck in trees because their claws are perfectly shaped for climbing up but not so well designed for climbing down. Of course, we can’t read their minds, so we don’t know if Kitty’s precarious situation at the top of that maple is thanks to claw design or fear.

For us humanoid types, fear and physiology often both play a part. Yet, in our dedication to spreading holiday cheer, our efforts border on the heroic for overcoming both. Yes, the indomitability of the human spirit is to be lauded, but a little caution can be taken from the annals of Hollywood. (Think National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.)

It’s also good to keep in mind that those tree trimmers you saw shaping up the large elm near Belle Meade Boulevard early last spring make climbing look easy not only because they’re professionals, they’ve also embraced the importance of climbing safety.

In our continuing, year-round efforts to keep customers safe, Tree Service of Nashville not only protects homeowners from falling limbs of decaying trees, we also encourage homeowners from Hendersonville to Brentwood to consider these tips for avoiding outdoor, light-hanging, holiday mishaps:

1. Use appropriately sized, sturdy-enough-for-the-job ladders, and follow all precautions posted on the ladder safety sticker.

2. It’s never advisable to swim alone, and it’s also not advisable to hang outdoor Christmas lights alone. In fact, any time a ladder and roof or tall tree are involved, it’s a good idea to have a buddy.

3. Read labels on string lights carefully to ensure they are certified for outdoor use.

4. Maintain a healthy fear of (and steer clear of) power lines near roofs and trees.

5. Love yourself, love your tree. Don’t use nails or staples to attach strings of lights to the trunk of that lovely evergreen. Avoiding sharp metal objects near electricity is good for your health, and good for your tree, too.

To continue to love your trees throughout the year, contact us for all your tree service, lawn service and lawn maintenance needs!

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 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.

Prepping the Trees of Music City for Springtime

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

It’s never too early to prep for spring. While the air is still bitter cold, the warmer temperatures are not far from Middle Tennessee. So as we begin to shed our coats and scarves, take some time to take care of all of your spring-prepping needs for your trees and garden. From deadwood removal to redesigning your landscape, it’s all necessary factors to ensuring beautiful trees all year long.

1. Give your trees a “haircut” — This is a very common suggestion with tree upkeep; however, it can’t be said enough. Remove all deadwood and while you’re at it, do some crown thinning. By trimming off all those dead and/or diseased branches, you’re ensuring the safety of the tree and what’s around it, but you’re also maintaining the beauty of the tree. Crown thinning will increase airflow and sunlight, which is key for optimal growth and prosperity during the spring.

2. Stump removal — Before planting new trees, have the old stumps removed or grinded. The Parke Company can grind all apparent surface and feeder roots for their customers. Once the stumps are gone, you can easily plant some grass seed for an aesthetically-pleasing space outdoors.

3. Start shopping — Begin collecting things you will need for the spring and summer, including soil and fertilizer, seed and other maintenance items. If you’re in the market for a new tree, begin shopping different places for the best choices. Whether you’re in Green Hills, Belle Meade or Brentwood, the Parke Company will be able to help you decide what tree is best for your environment and the Tennessee climate.

4. Tree check-up — If you’ve didn’t have your trees evaluated during the fall or winter, it’s not too late. Have the Parke Company do a comprehensive health evaluation of your trees so you know how to properly care for them during the spring. Not only will they be able to tell you disease and insect information, but also soil and water conditions.

5. Redesign your landscape — The citizens of Nashville are trendy people, and that’s even reflected in their yard. Map out your redesign plan your garden or flowerbed. From West Nashville to Franklin, plan what kind of trees that work best for your area. Make a schedule of your weekly landscape upkeep, such as cutting grass, weeding, etc. The Parke Company is always available to answer any questions or guide you through the process.

Spring is only weeks away, so it’s time to begin planning. It’s up to you whether you do a little at a time or all at once, but these are sure-fire ways to be ready for the rush of spring. For more information about the Parke Company and their services, call 615-405-6548.

What to Look for in a Tree Service Company in Middle Tennessee

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

When it’s time to contract a reputable tree service company in Nashville, most people know the obvious. Make sure the company is qualified, professional and is great at customer service. But sometimes there are some things that are less obvious, such as proper insurance and class codes. It’s important to do your research. Not only are reputable companies important for a good experience, but it also keeps you from unnecessary hassle. Here are some things to look for when hiring the tree service company.

Qualifications:

The tree service company should be properly class coded (code # 0106) within their Workers’ Compensation for tree trimming work. Other class codes for landscaping, etc. are not the same and can have legal and liable ramifications. In the event the company hired is not properly class-coded and there is a problem during tree work, the homeowner is at risk for liability.
The tree service company must also have general liability for insurance.
If the job is over $25,000, the company also needs to be licensed as a general contractor.
The tree service company should also be a certified arborist.

Customer Service:

Make sure the company will provide a written estimate.
The company should be willing to answer any and all questions.
A great quality in a tree service company’s customer service is follow-ups after completion to make sure their customers are happy.

Professionalism:

The tree service company should always show up to work on time.
The company keeps a clean environment and picks up after their work is completed.
The company is both polite and respectful.

If you have any questions about any of these points, the Parke Company is readily available to answer all of your questions. Not only does the Parke Company have years of experience, but they also meet all qualifications listed above, including insurance and class codes. The Parke Company services all of Nashville and Middle Tennessee. To schedule a service (including tree removal, stump grinding, fire wood and much more), call the Parke Company today at (615) 405-6548.