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Get Rid of the Winter Blues: Schedule Tree Services Today

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

After Christmas and into the slow, winter months of January and February, the short days and cold weather can often bring a sense of melancholy to Nashvillians. But as you begin taking down all your tinsel and ribbons, be sure to use those months to your advantage and leave the gloom behind.

When you take down your holiday decorations, take note of what else your lawn might need such as landscaping or tree services. From stump grinding to tree healthcare, the Parke Company has it all. January and February are great months to scout out what your yard and trees needs. Schedule landscaping or tree services in plenty of time before the spring and summer and your winter blues won’t be quite as glum as it once was.

The Parke Company has an array of services available for the Nashville area and Middle Tennessee. Why not take advantage of these services now so you won’t have to worry about it later? These services include (but not limited to):

Landscaping
Tree removal
Debris removal and chipper services
Stump grinding
Tree installation
Firewood and other wood products

Take the New Year as an opportunity to make a to-do list of all your lawn and tree needs for 2014. It’s not only a great way to begin the New Year on a good foot, but it also keeps your lawn and trees clean and healthy. For more information, or if you have questions about any of the Parke Company’s services within Forest Hills, Oak Hill and Belle Meade, call them today at (615) 405-6548.

How to Spot a Hackberry Aphid in Nashville and What to Do About It

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

Pests are a common problem among home and property owners in Nashville — raccoons, mosquitoes and mice to name a few. But one additional pest to add to the list is the Asian Wooly Hackberry Aphid. Originally found in California, the pesky creatures have since made their way into Middle Tennessee for the hackberry and sugarberry trees.

What is the big deal? There isn’t a huge risk to the trees by having the furry, white aphids roam, but they do secrete droplets of honeydew, which fall on leaves and anything underneath, such as porches, decks, cars, lawns or playground equipment. The main problem occurs when the secretions form black mold that is really hard to clean. The mold is also a hazard, slippery substance for Nashvillians, especially when it is wet or in the shade.

What can you do about it? Inspect your trees and call your tree service provider immediately if you find a problem or have a question. There is an array of management issues that can be done for the Hackberry Aphids, but it is always best to leave it up to the professionals. Book an appointment with the Parke Company sooner than later (late winter/early spring) to get rid of the infestation and clean up your property before people begin to spend more time outside.

Getting rid of the Asian Wooly Hackberry Aphid is not just for aesthetic purposes. (Although that might be enough reason for many!) Yes, the mold is ugly to look at, but it is also very dangerous for you and your family. If you spot these critters or the mold around your yard, don’t hesitate to call your tree service, the Parke Company. It’s important to schedule service for this issue by the end of winter or early spring. The Parke Company predicts the problem to much worse this year, because 2013 was a “wet” year. Serving areas all over Middle Tennessee, including Madison, Green Hills, Franklin and Brentwood, the Parke Company has got you covered this upcoming season. Call them to schedule at (615) 350-6033.

Trees: From Tolkien to Nashville

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

Trees are seen as majestic creatures that evoke both comfort and protection. In works of fiction, they might provide words of wisdom or strength. In reality, trees might be a symbol of history or solace. No matter where you look, fact or fiction, trees have an important part of our lives.

In the world of J.R.R. Tolkien, specifically Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, creatures called Ents (or “shepherds of the trees”) protect forests from orcs and other dangerous creatures. Ents take on a tree-like form, resembling those they protect. In The Two Towers, Saruman destroys hundreds of trees the Ents have known for years. Angry and seeking vengeance for those they swore to protect, the Ents take their last march to destroy Isengard (which ends Saruman’s reign of power).

Other works of fiction use trees to evoke wisdom, protection and strength. For example, in Disney’s Pocahontas the main character seeks advice from a tree named Grandmother Willow. In addition, in the Legend of Zelda series, the Great Deku Tree serves as guardian of the earth.

But it’s not just Lord of the Rings, Pocahontas or Legend of Zelda where trees have immense symbolism. Like Ents in Middle Earth, the Parke Company employees have duties to care for trees around Middle Tennessee. Though they don’t take on a tree-like form, the Parke Company is certainly shepherd of the trees and they approach their craft in a holistic manner.

In addition, everyday trees like those in a backyard of Green Hills or a park in Brentwood can symbolize a piece of history — everything from a historical landmark to a couple sharing their first kiss.

So if you spend any time outside or even go watch Tolkien’s new film adaptation, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug this holiday season, don’t forget to look out for any trees and what they might mean. You never know what emotions they are supposed to evoke.

Tips for Irrigation System Winterization and Spring Start Up Care

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

When it comes to maintaining your irrigation and landscaping, it’s important to provide both winterization and spring start up care for your irrigation system. Even though your irrigation contractor can help maintain your system through all types of Nashville weather, there are a few simple things you can do to keep your irrigation and landscaping in top shape. Here’s how you can provide winterization care and spring start up maintenance for your landscape irrigation system:

Winterization Tips for Your Irrigation System

Turn off the main water valve. It’s important to make sure your water source is completely turned off before the weather changes.
Get the water out. Before cold temperatures hit, make sure there is no water left in your landscape irrigation system. After you turn off the main water valve, shoot compressed air through the system to remove all remaining water from the pipes.
Protect your system controller. If your irrigation system has automatic settings, be sure to turn the entire system off, or change it to the “rain” setting.
Consider hiring an irrigation contractor. Your irrigation contractor can perform high-level maintenance on your system to prevent damage from harsh winter weather.

Spring Start Up Tips for Your Irrigation System

Check the valves. Winter can be hard on irrigation and landscaping. Check the seals on each valve for leaks before you turn the water on.
Flush out the system. Before you run your landscape irrigation system, flush it out to remove any debris that has collected during the winter months.
Test the controller. Make sure that your automatic controls still work properly at each station. If your controller has a back-up battery, replace it with a fresh one.

You can perform simple winterization and spring start up maintenance on your irrigation system. However, if you’re looking for high-level maintenance and repairs, it’s best to call an irrigation contractor for professional help.

At The Parke Company, our irrigation professionals can help maintain any Nashville landscape irrigation system. Call us at 615-350-6033 to learn more about our services or request a free quote. Whether you need to prepare your system for a harsh winter or get ready to irrigate your landscape all summer, we have you covered.

Reasons to Buy a Live or Freshly Cut Tree in Nashville

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

We are not sure about you guys, but our turkey leftovers are long gone and the employees at the Parke Company are in the throws of holiday cheer. There are Christmas tree farms on every corner in Nashville, menorahs on family mantels and holiday music in retail stores — it’s hard to ignore it! If you haven’t done it yet, setting up the Christmas tree is an exciting tradition in your family, whether it’s an artificial or live tree.

But as you might expect, the Parke Company loves natural trees. Yes, they are messy and you have to care for them, but they hold beauty that artificial trees just don’t have. A lot of people argue that it’s not cost efficient to buy a live tree every year, or that it’s a hassle to dispose of it after the holidays too. Both are valid arguments, if the customer does not look at all of his or her options.

Here are some great reasons to go natural:

The Parke Company will set a freshly cut or live tree up in your home for you! You don’t have to worry about the project yourself — leave it up to the professionals.
Middle Tennessee residents can decide from an array of trees from Cedar to Southern Magnolia to Holly trees for their holiday centerpiece.
Instead of throwing out your tree at the end of the holiday season, but many species can be replanted! Call the Parke Company and they help you choose a suitable tree for your holiday and for your yard for many years to come.

The Parke Company offers live and freshly cut trees to the entire Nashville area, including areas of Brentwood, Franklin and Madison. It might seem easier to go buy an artificial tree, but the natural beauty of a live or freshly cut tree is hard to beat! Call the Parke Company with questions or order a tree today. Time is running out and 2014 will be here before you know it. Call at (615) 405-6548.