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Importance and Causes of Fallen Trees

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

Driving to and from work can be a pain. We’ve all been there. Traffic jams, running late and even the occasional fallen tree. Good thing the Parke Company is there. Though they can’t clear traffic or give you an extra 15 minutes in the morning, they can help clear road blocks caused by fallen trees.

For many reasons, trees can fall across major roadways causing road congestion, injuries and/or damage. Most recently in City of Belle Meade in Nashville, the Parke Company worked to remove a fallen sugar maple that not only hit the road, but also a car. Luckily, the driver was not hurt, but the Parke Company crew and the Belle Meade police department had to work quickly and efficiently (for almost 2 hours) remove the tree and clear the road.

The causes of the fallen tree are many. While root rot is very common, several factors are at play for such an incident:

Root rot, which is found in older trees, is a fungus that penetrates and kills the roots. Root rot manifests in bad soil conditions and, in result, can create unstable trees.
Wet soil can sometimes be a factor. Heavy rainfall, certain types of soil and poor drainage can all be an issue.
Previous leaning can be another cause. If the tree was leaning on a slope before, it’s possible that gravity took intuitive for the fall.
Common constructed features like fences and stonewalls can sometimes be problems for trees as they continue to grow. These man-made objects might block or damage the tree causing it to collapse.
Mechanical injuries are possible culprits as well. These are physical injuries to the tree, which can cause problems in the future. Though these physical injuries might take years to develop into something fatal, something so small as the cord of a weed eater can cause eventual, lifelong damage.

With the help of City of Belle Meade Public Works, Belle Meade City Manager office and their police department, the Parke Company was able to remove the tree safely without any harm to the public or surrounding area. Though there is no specific cause to point blame, there are many factors that can contribute to a beautiful sugar maple’s demise. The importance of taking care Nashville’s trees is obvious. With proper care, the likelihood of disaster is less likely. For more information about the Parke Company and their removal services, please call 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.

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.

Bison Meadow and The Parke Company: Working Together to Bring Nashville History to Life

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

As part of the Tennessee Bicentennial Project in 1994, The City of Forest Hills established Bison Meadow. Bison Meadow, a mirror of the prairies that once prospered in the state, is filled with wildflowers, trees and Indian grass. Staying true to its history, the 2.5-acre of land is on part of the state’s Natchez Trace and embodies the wild ecosystem that was once there. (Thanks to landscape architect Tara Armistead.) As part of Natchez Trace, bison, elk and other large mammals traveled through this prairie to get to the large salt lick along the Cumberland River.

The Parke Company has since maintained the meadow and kept it true to its history. From the treecare to building the bison topiaries, the Parke Company is steadily involved in the meadow’s upkeep for the last 6 years. Surrounded by dry-stack stonewalls, funded by The Garden Club of Nashville, the meadow maintains a peaceful serenity away from the residential areas of Forest Hills.

While there are no live bison in Bison Meadow, there are shrubs throughout the property shaped like the giant creatures. The metal frames (where the trees grow from) were created by artist Alan LeQuire. When the bison trees were originally sculpted, Hicks yew was used for the topiary. Since then, the Parke Company determined that the yew was not as prosperous for the local growing zone as they hoped. Instead, they’ve deceived to convert to arborvitae, which is much more conducive to this area.

Fast Facts about American Bison:

Heaviest land animals in North America with weights ranging from 950 to 2,200 pounds.
Stand about 5 to 6 1/2 feet tall.
These herbivores are grazers, eating grass, twigs and shrubs. They also regurgitate their food and eat it again before it’s finally digested.
The lifespan of a bison can range from 12 to 20 years.

With the Parke Company’s help with its treecare, Bison Meadow will continue to be an asset of both Nashville and Forest Hill. With so much wildlife and American history behind the meadow, it’s no wonder the Parke Company took on this tree project. Located on the corner of Hillsboro Pike and Tyne Blvd., guests are welcome to visit the meadow, and encouraged to come during different times of year when the wildflowers and trees are blooming.

For additional information about treecare and shrub information, call the Parke Company at (615) 405-6548.

April Showers and Lightning Damage

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

April showers bring May flowers, right? Well, unfortunately they can also bring lightning damage, particularly on your trees. Nashvillians are patiently waiting while the multiple storms pass through the Middle Tennessee area, but it’s important to understand the signs of damaged trees and limbs as they come barrelling through. Trees are incredibly susceptible to lightning and should be monitored regularly by the Parke Company’s certified arborists.

Trees are especially vulnerable to lightning damage because of their height. Trees isolated on hills, near water, vast lawns, landscapes or in fields are even more likely to be struck. And depending on the severity, lightning strikes can completely destroy your tree. (In which case, emergency tree care is necessary.) But there are times when trees are damaged and it’s hard to determine if it’s due to lightning because the symptoms do not manifest until weeks later. That’s why it’s important to call a certified arborist who will be able to assist you with proper tree care and guide you in a treatment plan for the affected tree.

Symptoms of lightning damage include:

Your tree dies within a few days or weeks after being struck
Your tree loses its leaves unexpectedly
Sunken or “dead” spots appear along the trunk or branches
Cracks develop down the side of the trunk

Trees are rather vulnerable to lightning so it’s important to protect them, especially if they are protected or historic trees. The Parke Company can install protective measures for your trees to decrease the likelihood of damage from a lightning strike. This is especially important if trees are near your home or business. However, these are difficult systems and should not be done without a professional arborist. In order to ensure long-term protection and correct installation, call the Parke Company and speak with a certified professional about installing one in your landscape.

Tree care doesn’t just stop with check-ups and evaluations. If you notice that your trees have symptoms of lightning damage, call the Parke Company to discuss options for tree health care and lightning protection.