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The Parke Company provides Tennessee Capitol Christmas Tree

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

Last week, the city of Nashville participated in the lighting ceremony of the capitol’s Christmas tree, hosted by Governor Bill Haslam. Strung with over 6,000 bulbs and 200 ornaments, this 35-foot Norway spruce stands proudly in Legislative Plaza for the holidays.

The Parke Company, including Rick Krivak (Parke Company’s Assistant Manager – Tree Division and Certified Arborist) was responsible for picking up the tree in Oliver Springs in East Tennessee and transplanted it in its new home in Music City. The tree itself is several decades old, originally planted for a Christmas tree research project at the University of Tennessee. When the project ended in 1985, the relocated spruce was transplanted in Oliver Springs at the Cumberland Forest.

Want an interesting tidbit about the tree? It was not the original tree designated for the capitol. In fact, it wasn’t until a large storm damaged the original tree that the Norway spruce was reconsidered. It was then that the tree was cut down with care, securely fastened to a trailer and then traveled the 2 and half hour journey to Nashville.

The tree was going to have to be cut down anyway to make room for other research projects in the area. In addition, the size of the tree blocked sunlight from other trees, so many people are pleased with the spruce’s second chance at life. After the holidays, the tree will be cut back down and turned into chips for removal.

Though it is too late to see the lighting ceremony, it’s not too late to enjoy its Christmas cheer. The Christmas tree will stay lit all through the holiday season, located in the heart of Nashville.

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.

3 Reasons to Only Hire Contractors with an Irrigation License in Nashville, TN

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

When it comes to landscaping, everybody in Nashville wants the best value for the lowest price. However, the costs of hiring a contractor who is not professionally licensed to service your irrigation system seriously outweigh the benefits. Here are the top three reasons why you should only hire contractors who carry a professional irrigation license:

Knowledge: A landscaper who is not professionally licensed runs the risk of violating city codes. A knowledgeable irrigation professional will take great care to avoid tapping into city water lines or otherwise compromising your system.
Professionalism: Qualified contractors must renew their license every year, ensuring that they continue to stay up-to-date on the techniques, laws, and regulations of their industry. Hiring a licensed contractor minimizes the risk that your landscaper’s training is out-of-date.
Legality: The state of Tennessee requires that you hire licensed contractors to check and service your irrigation system, particularly if your system runs water underground. Issues like backflow prevention impact the water quality of the entire community, so a licensed irrigation contractor is helping all of Nashville by maintaining your system!

The professionals at the Parke Company are fully qualified to perform any landscaping and irrigation services you need to help your lawn survive in Nashville. Call us today at 615-350-6033 to schedule a licensed irrigation specialist to visit your home.

Different Types of Sprinkler Heads for Your Nashville Lawn

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

There are a variety of options when it comes to sprinkler heads, and getting familiar with the different styles will help you decide what works best for your landscape irrigation system.

Concealed Sprinklers

Many permanent concealed sprinkler systems use pop-up heads. This type of spring-driven mechanism ensures that the head pops above the grass only when the water is turned on. The sprinkler head then withdraws beneath the lawn’s surface so that the system is safe from potential damage due to lawnmowers and other lawn activities. Concealed pop-up heads typically adjust to spray in a pattern from 10 to 45 feet wide and provide 1-2.5 inches of water coverage per hour.

Rotary Sprinklers

Rotary sprinklers use an adjustable spray setting that shoots a stream of water in a circular pattern. The two main types of rotary sprinkler systems are gear-driven and impact models. Gear-driven sprinklers utilize water pressure and internal gears to rotate the nozzle as it sprays. One advantage of gear-driven models is that they tend to operate more quietly than other systems. Impact sprinklers have a spring-loaded mechanism that controls the turning direction of the nozzle and helps it spray evenly. Rotary sprinklers designed for residential landscaping usually spray 20-40 feet while commercial systems can spray as far as 90 feet from the sprinkler head. These sprinklers deliver between 0.25-0.5 inches of water per hour in their designated area.

Micro-Irrigation (“Bubblers”)

Also referred to as spot irrigation or bubblers, micro-irrigation sprinkler heads are a great choice for watering individual plants and garden beds. You can install these near the root systems of plants for continuous drip irrigation to smaller areas of landscaping. These sprinkler heads deliver water that soaks the soil in areas smaller than 5 feet in diameter, making this system ideal for planters, shrubs, and tree wells.

To find out more about the best type of sprinkler system for your middle Tennessee home or business, contact the irrigation professionals at the Parke Company. Call us today at 615-350-6033 to schedule a licensed irrigation specialist to visit your home.

Leaf Removal Services in Nashville

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

You know it is about that time — time to rake all those leaves swimming in your front and back yards. But if you have a million things going on, including Vanderbilt and Titans football games, Thanksgiving Day plans and other shenanigans, that last thing you want to worry about is taking care of another chore. That’s where the Parke Company comes in. Their team of highly experienced workers is eager and willing to help with your landscape needs. But don’t wait too long to call them if you need help with the leaf pick-up before the holidays.

Their leaf and tree services for the fall months include (but not limited to):

Leaf blow/Leaf removal — this is a very necessary and popular need from customers at the Parke Company. They’ll rake, blow and even remove the leaves for the clean, beautiful landscape you desire.
Mulching — If you wish to recycle your leaves for mulching purposes, the Parke Company can assist you with that as well. Ask your Parke Company employee for additional information.
Tree transplants — This time of year is the best months to transplant your tree if necessary.
Firewood — Stock up on all the essentials before Nashville’s winter comes in full effect. The Parke Company can provide you with a variety of firewood suited to your preference.
Chipper or debris removal — Any other natural debris (including limbs, logs and landscape debris) that needs to be removed, the Parke Company is at your service. If you want something a environmental friendly, they will build a compost site right on your property!

Be sure to call the Parke Company as soon as possible to schedule your appointment so you can have a beautiful landscape for the holidays. For more information and questions on how to schedule your leaf removal appointment, call the Parke Company today at (615) 405-6548.