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Fun Facts About the Tennessee State Tree: The Tulip Poplar

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

What comes to mind when you think about Nashville and your state home of Tennessee? The Grand Ole Opry? Tennessee whiskey? The Smokey Mountains? These are just a few of the symbols that reflect the state of Tennessee. But one of the most intriguing and majestic symbols of Tennessee is the state tree — the Tulip Poplar. Since its adoption by state legislator in 1947, the tulip poplar has resided among the elite, such as other official state symbols like the mockingbird and raccoon.

Some fun facts about the Tulip Poplar

The tree was chosen because pioneers would use the tulip poplar to make houses, barns and canoes.
Today, the poplar is most commonly used for cabinetry.
In Tennessee, the tree sometimes called “canoe wood” because of its reference to the pioneers.
The tree can also be use for medicinal purposes, such as teas and ointments.
The tree is native to the Eastern U.S. region ranging from New England to Louisiana and Florida.
The tulip poplar is also Kentucky and Indiana’s state tree.
The scientific name is Liriodendron tulipifera and is also known as the tulip tree, American tulip tree, whitewood, fiddle-tree and yellow poplar.
The name “fiddle-tree” comes from the peculiar-shaped leaves that grow from their branches that resemble small violins.
The tree is actually a member of the magnolia family, not the poplar family.
The flowers are typically light green or yellow.
The tree typically doesn’t bloom tulips from their branches the first 15 years of its life.
Average lifespan of the tulip poplar is 200-250 years but some trees have been known to live much longer if conditions are right.
The tulip poplar is the tallest of North American hardwoods and can range from 100-150 feet high.
The trunk can grow at least 50 feet high without a single branch.

The Tennessee state tree is widely appreciates throughout the state, including Middle Tennessee. The tulip poplar is also a great tree to use for your residential or commercial landscaping needs. It is one of the fastest growing trees in the region. However, these trees and its branches require some specific growth requirements, so it’s always best to consult with a professional. For questions on planting the state tree in your yard, feel free to contact the Parke Company at (615) 405-6548.

Trees and Tornadoes: Handling Severe Storms in Nashville

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

Tornado season is underway and a real threat in many parts of the country. These deadly storms can whisk an entire piece of land away in a matter of minutes without much warning. It is important to stay cautious and be prepared if a tornado or a large storm comes through Nashville. Have an emergency kit for your home, discuss your emergency plans with your family and be sure your house is well maintained. So, is there anything you can do for your yard? Unfortunately, since the landscape can’t come inside with you, you have to be sure your trees are armed against the elements.

Have a health evaluation done on your tree regularly to ensure your tree can stand strong against large storms. The Parke Company can do a comprehensive analysis of your tree regarding insect infestation, disease, and water and soil conditions.

Remove any access deadwood or brush. This small and easy chore is necessary for many reasons, including severe storm and tornado safety. This will decrease the risk of limbs and other brush falling on your property causing damage.

If a tree does fall after a severe storm and/or tornado, call the Parke Company’s emergency services for assistance. They will be able to help you with services such as tree removal, stump grinding, clean debris, and chip and mulching to restore your home back to how it was before the storm.

From the hills of Bellevue to the neighborhoods of East Nashville, Nashville and Middle Tennessee are areas to be cautious of severe storms and tornadoes during this time of year. Be prepared for every level of severity for both inside your home and outside. For more information about the Parke Company’s services, including their emergency service, call (615) 405-6548.

Have a Mosquito Problem in your Nashville Backyard? Try a Bat or Martin House

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

The beautiful summertime in Middle Tennessee can often mean you spend your outdoor activities armed with bug spray. Insects such as mosquitoes can dampen your summer and prevent you from doing more activities. There is always one great natural way to control these outdoor pests: bat and Martin houses.

Yes, we know what you might be thinking. Bats?! Though they might have a bad reputation, these flying mammals are actually quite beneficial for insect control. Both bats and Martins can eat thousands of insects a day, even mosquitoes. According to the Tennessee Bat Working Group, bats can eat approximately 3,000 insects a night. That’s half of their body weight!

Many times, acquiring bat houses and tree removal go hand in hand. The Parke Company receive a lot of inquires after a tree has been removed. “What can we do with this space now?” people ask. If planting a new tree is not an option, consider installing a bat or a Martin house during your landscape makeover. This will not only naturally control insects, but it can also enhance your Nashville wildlife appreciation without having to visit Percy Warner Park.

The Parke Company will not only help you with tree service, but also assist you in finding the right type of house best suited for your area. Depending on the species, your house might require size or environmental specifications. Here are just a few things to think about for each type of house:

Bats:

Nocturnal animals, these creatures eat at night.
The design and construction of the house is very important. The Parke Company will be able to assist you in specific size and shape.
At least 6 hours of daily sunlight exposure is recommended for all bat houses. This is to ensure the bat houses are kept warm.

Martins:

Spends their time eating and doing other acivities during the day
Housing needs to be out in the open (at least 30 feet away from your residence) to avoid other disturbances.
Keep the housing at least 10-20 feet high to protect from predators.

Sometimes after a tree removal, you want to consider different options. The Parke Company will help you brainstorm great alternatives for your landscape — like installing bat or Martin houses. Not only is this a great natural insect repellent but it’s also a great animal-focused activity for you and your family right at home. For more information on types of houses and specific requirements, call the Parke Company today for information on this or other tree services at (615) 405-6548.

5 Keys to Quality Landscape Irrigation in Nashville, TN

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

The Parke Company irrigation services leaf

Your property is dynamic and each area has its own specific needs. In order for the area to thrive, it must receive the appropriate levels of water. Irrigation maintenance can be taxing, but with these simple tools and the assistance of an irrigation designer, your property will blossom into the ultimate lush landscape.

1. Adapt: Adjust your watering schedule to accommodate the current weather, season and soil type. In Nashville, soil typically contains combinations of clay, silt and loam, which retain more water than sandy or chalky soils in other areas of the country. It’s important to familiarize yourself with your irrigation controller and change settings according to weather conditions on a regular basis.

2. Customize: Each individual zone in your irrigation system may require different amounts of water. Consider the type of sprinkler needed and the amount of sun exposure in each area for appropriate distribution.

3. Timing is everything: Water your property at the best times of day: when the sun is low or down and winds are calm. You can lose up to 30% of water simply by evaporation if you water in the middle of the day.

4. Use your resources wisely: Be careful not to over-water, which can result in shallow roots, disease, fungus and weed growth. Also, make sure to adjust sprinkler heads and clear any obstructions to prevent excessive water collection on pavement or structures. Each day, as much as half of the water used for landscape irrigation nationwide is wasted due to over-spraying on sidewalks or evaporation, so it’s best to check your work.

5. Seek professional help: Monthly inspections and professional system audits assist you in testing all areas of the property and ensure quality water distribution. Audits and inspections are cost-effective and earth-friendly.

If you are in need of professional services, contact the Parke Company at 615.350.6033 for any landscape and irrigation concerns. These professional irrigation contractors will assist you in building or revitalizing your irrigation system. Their experience with Nashville soil will benefit your property for years to come.

Arbor Day in Nashville — How Will You Celebrate?

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

Earth Day has gone down in the books as another successful recognition of our beautiful planet. So what’s next? Good thing Arbor Day is just around the corner. A day to recognize and plant beloved trees is not only great, but also important. Founded in 1872, more than 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska where the holiday originated. Today, people around the country celebrate Arbor Day (most commonly celebrated on the last Friday of April) to promote treecare and tree awareness.

Here are some activities any aspiring arborist can do to celebrate Arbor Day.

Plant a tree — this is the most simple and logical way to celebrate. If you want to plant a tree but don’t know how, The Parke Company can assist you in planting trees on your property and teach your appropriate treecare for the future.

Spend some time outside — Visit Centennial Park or take a hike in Edwin Warner. Take an arborist as your guide to enlighten your outing. Gather your friends and plan a landscape makeover for a public area in Nashville or in Middle Tennessee. Or you can visit a local arboretums, such as The Hermitage, Cheekwood or Vanderbilt.

Learn something new — Read a book on treecare or attend a class about gardening or planting trees. If you are the head of an organization or a committee, plan a tree trivia contest to test everyone’s knowledge of Arbor Day.

You don’t have to be an arborist to enjoy the holiday. Arbor Day can be a fun way to acknowledge the trees we sometimes take for granted. Dedicating a day once a year to plant and appreciate trees is an important measure to maintaining Nashville’s natural beauty. No matter how you choose to celebrate it, be sure to take some time and admire the trees around you. For questions about your trees or treecare, the Parke Company is readily available to answer any questions. For more information, call 615-405-6548. Happy Arbor Day!