The Parke Company | The Parke Company

Open Burning Regulations in Tennessee: What you Need to Know

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

We’re not sure how, but the summer is coming to an end. The retail stores throughout Nashville are slowly stocking up on plastic pumpkins, Halloween candy and apple cider. Pools will eventually close, nights will cool down and a bonfire will be the new centerpiece of every party. The Parke Company loves a great shindig; however, it’s important to know all the ins and outs of outdoor burning (from bonfires to burning brush) within the state of Tennessee.

But the number one rule before you burn: Contact your local authorities to see what permits and guidelines are necessary before burning. Though the state department has general guidelines to follow when you begin open fires, it’s crucial to double check with local authorities for any additional guidelines or required permits. Lack of preparation or permit can result in a fine or even damage to you and your property. It’s important to be educated on your local rules, whether it’s a recreation bonfire or a brush pile of limbs. Other guidelines include:

Let your neighbors and local authorities know you plan to burn.
Supervise the burn closely.
Supervise any children.
Bonfires need to be at least 50 feet away from anything that can burn such as trees and overhead limbs. Recreational fires (campfires or fire pits) need to be at least 25 feet away.
Don’t burn on windy, dry days.
When burning, have a hose or a bucket of water nearby. Never use gasoline or other flammable substances.
Extinguish the fire completely.
Call 911 immediately if the fire gets out of control.

Whether you’re prepping for a party or just getting rid of some old brush, it’s important to do a little research beforehand. It’s OK not to know where to begin. If the Parke Company doesn’t know your local regulations, they will do their best to direct you to someone who does. Though local regulations still apply, contained firepits from your local home improvement store are great alternatives for open fires. The Parke Company services Middle Tennessee, including Nashville, Cool Springs, Franklin and Madison.

For additional information on Nashville Metro’s guideline’s click here. You can also contact the Nashville Fire Marshal at (615) 862-5421 or the Codes Department at (615) 862-6500 for additional information. Be safe out there, everyone!

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.

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.

Overseeding and Aeration on Nashville’s Fescue Lawns

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

It’s that time of year again for Nashville and the Middle Tennessee area: overseeding and aeration of your lawns. Yearly maintenance is crucial in keeping a fescue lawn looking beautiful during the chilly months, which is why September and even October are key months to get it done. Perhaps the Parke Company had to come in and remove a tree early this summer — now it is time to plant grass over the bald spot. Whatever the reason, the time for this landscape chore is now.

A few things to keep in mind during the process:

Fescue is a cool season grass and needs seeding during the fall for those shady and cool spots.
Spreading seed across the lawn will not get the job done. Additionally, it’s a waste of seed. The product must be integrated into the lawn somehow — this is why aeration is so important.
September and October are crucial months to complete this job. If bad weather hits the aeration project, it could potentially damage the lawn for fall and early spring.
This overseeding and aeration process is for cool season grass such as fescue, not warm season grass like Bermuda grass.

While you are getting your landscape services caught up for the season, be sure to check off any tree services you need to accomplish with the Parke Company. Tree removal, stump grinding, healthcare analysis and even stock up on firewood are all things to think about as well. As the saying goes, “why not kill two birds with one stone?”

Take this time and complete any and all of your landscape services and tree service around your residence. The Parke Company works throughout all of Middle Tennessee including Nashville, Cool Springs, Madison, Franklin and Brentwood. For more information about tree service or questions about lawn aeration, call the Parke Company at (615) 405-6548.

Ticks and Mosquitos in Nashville: How Can Parke Company Help?

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

It’s the middle of the summer and outdoor activities are thriving, from backyard barbeques in Franklin to weekend camping trips in Percy Warner Park. But ticks and mosquitos are prominent little pests in Middle Tennessee and can range from a small, itchy bump to a serious illness. Though Lyme disease is not as prevalent in Tennessee as West Nile Virus, it’s important to take special precautions in order to understand the risks and how you can protect you and your family.

A few facts about ticks and Lyme disease

Over 25,000 people develop Lyme disease every year.
Blacklegged ticks live in moist and humid areas.
Symptoms of Lyme disease include rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes and more.

A few facts about mosquitos and West Nile Virus

According to the Metro Public Health Department and the Tennessean, the West Nile Virus has been confirmed in mosquitos in Bellevue, North Nashville, East Nashville and Goodlettsville.
Seventy to eighty percent of people who get infected with the virus do not develop symptoms.
There are over 170 species of mosquitos.

How can you protect you and your family?

Perform checkups to make sure there are no ticks or untreated bites on the body. (Be sure to check your pet too!)
Use repellent with 20 percent or more DEET before spending time outdoors.
Know when and where the insects thrive, how to avoid them and stay alert for signs of illness.

How can the Parke Company help?

Fallen trees are great opportunities for possible wet areas to host mosquitos. The Parke Company will remove any fallen tree from your property to avoid nests that could potentially carry disease.
Limbs and brush in backyards are eyesores, but they also are hotbeds for ticks, that might be carrying Lyme disease. Clean up your yard and have the Parke Company come remove the excess limbs and deadwood from your property.
Ticks thrive in wooded and shrubby areas. If your yard needs a facelift, contact the Parke Company for landscape consultations to trim up your property and create “tick-safe zones.”

For more information about the Parke Company and their services for the Nashville, Tennessee area, call (615) 405-6548.