Planting Trees: Working Together to Make Nashville More Beautiful

Tennessee becomes a bit more beautiful when we plant a new tree. Planting a tree does not have to be saved for Arbor Day or Earth Day either. For many Nashvillians, it’s a great outdoor activity for the family or even organization, especially during the autumn season. Not only can you learn a lot about the basics of planting and treecare, but you’re also learning to appreciate nature. Here are a few simple things to consider if you’re planning to plant your own tree.

Choose the right tree. Nashville is in a planting 6b zone so do some research trees that best fit within the Middle Tennessee environment. It’s probably safe to say that a palm tree will not do well during the bitter months of January if it’s planted outside your house in Franklin. Planting in the autumn is a perfect time of year since the weather begins to cool down and the plant begins its dormancy. However, the roots continue to grow as the tree acclimates to its surroundings. Consider planting native species to the area. If you need help, the folks at the Parke Company have years of knowledge under their belt and will be able to point you in the right direction.

Prepare the area and the tree. Prepare the hole and the tree as instructed for plantation. Whether it’s small or large, each tree is different and should be treated as such. Be sure you have all the proper tools and mulch necessary before planting. If you’re unsure of a step, the Parke Company is there for you for all your tree service needs.

Maintain proper treecare throughout its life. Immediately after the tree is planted, it’s important to water and mulch the tree often. Sometimes putting stakes down are necessary for the new tree until the roots become established within the ground. The treecare of the plant is crucial, especially in the first few years of its life. The Parke Company’s tree service will not only help you find the right tree and help you plant it, but they can also keep it healthy too.

The Parke Company understands the importance of planting trees. (Hey, that’s why they’re in business!) But it can also be a great activity for family or friends if you know how to plant it right. However, if you’re ever in doubt, always feel free to call the Parke Company for professional tree service at (615) 405-6548.

The Most Requested Trees in Middle Tennessee

RedMaple_ParkeCompany_NashvilleTennessee holds a variety of beautiful trees, especially in Nashville. From Red Maple to Tulip Poplar, customers of the Parke Company often request these trees for their homes and landscapes. Whether you’re interested in planting trees or transplanting them, here are the top three most requested tree species from the Parke Company.

Red Maple — Probably the most common tree in eastern North America, the Red Maple is often admired for its red foliage during the autumn season. There are many red maple varieties with many different qualities. The most notable trees with autumn foliage are the “October Glory” and the “Red Sunset.” The tree is adaptable in a variety of places, which is why it’s such a great tree for Nashville’s fickle weather. Growing to be (on average) about 49 feet tall, this shade tree is a beautiful addition to any landscape.

Willow Oak — This popular oak tree is from the red oak family and is commonly found lowland floodplains across eastern North American, specifically southern New York to Northern Florida. The Willow Oak can grow much taller than the Red Maple averaging 20 to 30 meters. In addition to its height, the Willow Oak can grow rapidly, which can often be a surprise to some landowners.

Tulip Poplar — The Tulip Poplar (Tennessee’s state tree) is the tallest eastern hardwood and can grow up to 165 feet in some areas. Like the Willow Oak, the poplar is a fast growing tree with strong trunks. One of the appeals of this poplar are the flowers. The tulips typically bloom in April making a beautiful spring portrait outside your window.

It doesn’t matter which tree species you choose to plant in your yard or landscape. You can’t go wrong with these three. All three prosper in Nashville’s environment and provide lifetime enjoyment for you and your family. For questions about planting trees or more tree species, call the Parke Company at (615) 405-6548.

Landscaping, Construction and Tennessee Wildlife: Protecting Exposed Tree Roots

Landscape, construction or Tennessee wildlife can be hard on those exposed tree roots in your yard, especially weed eaters or the metal sides of a mower.  (Oh, and let’s not forget that it can damage the equipment too!) And most of the time the big, unanswered question is, “oh… is that bad for the tree?” Well, constant running over surface roots will weaken them and create entrances for insects and other infestations. However, if the damage is done, consult the Parke Company on what options are available on proper tree care and how to fix it.

Look Out! Tree roots are a problem all through Nashville — from Madison, TN to Bellevue. Consult with both your Nashville landscape and maintenance company for the best ways to avoid the roots and the bottoms of trees. The more you and your workers are aware, the more likely you will not damage the tree or equipment.

Protect! Plan ways to protect your tree roots and tree trunks year after year by investing in tools such as a tree trunk protector. In addition, consider planting a bed around a tree to keep mowers and weed eaters outs. This method can be very tricky so consult with the Parke Company first to avoid long-term problems. But whatever you do, do not cut the surface roots out. Not only does it make the tree more susceptible to disease but it also weakens the tree and can cause potentially dangerous situation. We all know how finicky the weather in Middle Tennessee can be!

Take Care! If damage does occur, call the Parke Company right away if you start to see signs of illness or distress. Tree healthcare is incredibly important to your property’s ecosystem, so it’s vital you stay on top of it. Signs of a sick tree are dead limbs, browning leaves during off-seasons and insect infestations.

Taking care of your landscape doesn’t stop at the flowerbeds and lawns. Your trees are important as well. Be cautious when doing landscape or other activities, as damaging tree roots and trunks could be harmful. In addition, watch out for wildlife such as deer that could use their antlers to hit against the tree. This could do the same type of damage. If you notice your tree is getting ill or distressed due to exposed root or tree trunk damage, call the Parke Company to discuss tree healthcare options and other services moving forward. For more information, call (615) 405-6548.

 

Let the Parke Company Help You During Football Season

SONY DSCFootball season provokes thoughts of sports mania, tailgating and lots of finger food for people around America, especially Nashville — home of the Tennessee Titans. And it’s not just professional football we’re talking about! Nashville is home to Vanderbilt Commodore fans, Tennessee State University Tigers fans, University of Tennessee Volunteer fans and even Hillsboro High School burro fans. No matter whom you cheer for every season, we understand that it can take up a huge portion of your weekend leaving little time for lawn maintenance or tree services. But that’s OK! That is what the Parke Company is here for. They can take care of your lawn maintenance and tree service needs while you and your family are out enjoying football season. Some of their basic treecare services include:

  • Tree removal
  • Stump Grinding
  • Deadwood Removal
  • Crown Thinning

Treecare services popular during football season (when the weather begins to cool down and the plants begin their dormancy) include:

  • Debris Removal
  • Firewood Services and Delivery
  • Transplant Services
  • Lawn Maintenance

Perhaps you don’t follow football as much as others do; however you want to spend more time with your friends and family while the weather is still nice. The less home maintenance you have to worry about and the more time you can spend outside in Music City. Even if you like doing outdoor work, sometimes a dangerous job is not worth the risk.

No matter what category you fall in, the Parke Company has your back. The company understands the importance of family life and the importance of football. After all, many consider it America’s favorite sport. From firewood delivery to tree removal, the Parke Company is certified in a variety of services — so the only thing you need to be certified for the football season is touchdowns. For more information about tree services, call the Parke Company at 615-405-6548.

The Nashvillian’s Guide to Firewood

Firewood_Nashville_ParkeCompanyA few things to stock up on during the fall and winter months: hot chocolate, football and firewood. Of course, you can get firewood at any of your Nashville home improvement stores, but as you finish up your end-of-the-year checklist for your trees, be sure to ask the Parke Company if they have any on hand. They provide wood products like firewood and mulch. But always be cautious of stocking up on firewood, especially close to your home. Though it is attractive to keep the firewood close to the fireplace especially during snowy seasons, there can be some safety hazards in doing so. These include:

  • Termites — these pesky critters have a bad reputation will infest your home and any trees close to your stockpile.  They’ll stop at nothing for a good meal.
  • Pest — other pests can include beetles, snakes and rats. We don’t know about you, but we don’t like these guys finding their way into our home.
  • Fire — As the saying goes, we wouldn’t want to add fuel to the fire. If the firewood is close enough the house, it can only become more of a hazard.
  • Mold/moisture problem — Middle Tennessee has been wet this season! If wet firewood is close enough to the house, moisture and mold can make its way into the home causing some big problems for both the house and your health.

Ways to avoid these issues:

  • Store firewood above the ground.
  • Only bring firewood close to the home after it has been dried out. The dry wood is less likely to be infested with bugs or other “unknowns.”
  • Keep the area clean. Clean the area around where you store the firewood. Any debris such as wood chips or limbs needs to swept and cleaned immediately.SnowyFirewood_ParkeCompany_MiddleTennessee

Fireplaces are a great way to come together as a family and save energy during the chilly nights of fall and bitter months of winter. With that said, it’s important to be cautious when storing firewood. Termites aren’t your only problem. Other pests, fire hazards and molds can be issues as well. Not only can the Parke Company provide firewood for the fall and winter season, but they can also remove unwanted trees and turn those trees into firewood on the spot. In addition, they will also provide regular deliveries of firewood right to your footstep, provide specific species such as oak, hickory and poplar. For more information about the Parke Company about their firewood, tree or limb services within the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area, call today at (615) 405-65