The Parke Company | The Parke Company

Fall’s Changing Colors and Cleaning the Gutters

March 7, 2024October 23, 2015 by The Parke Company

Tree with fall leaves Leaves changing color is easily one of the most beautiful aspects of fall. It’s a natural decor change in your backyard. How neat is that? But how exactly do the leaves change their colors and how does it affect your to-list in the fall? If you’re spending any time outside in Nashville right now, you’ve noticed the change has already happened. With cooler nights and shorter daylight hours, the foliage on branches is slowly starting to turn orange, red and even purple.

The keyword for the change in color is chlorophyll. If you remember back in your 7th grade science class, chlorophyll is powered by sunlight and gives leaves that beautiful green color during the summertime. When fall arrives, the chlorophyll slowly starts to disappear from the leaves. The weather cools down and the days become shorter, which in turn prevents adequate access to sun and food. Because there are not enough resources for photosynthesis, the chlorophyll slowly disappears from the leaves leaving the yellow and orange color.

Do you see trees with branches full of color? It’s because glucose levels are trapped in leaves after the photosynthesis stops. The glucose itself is what turns the leaves bright red or orange, and it’s mostly seen in maple trees. If you check out areas around Nashville such as Cheekwood, Centennial Park and Belle Meade Plantation, you will be able to spot some of these beautiful bright leaves in all shades of this color pallette. It’s a beautiful reminder of why fall brings such joy to Nashvillians and people all over Middle Tennessee.

But don’t forget that the beautiful foliage will eventually fall from the trees, and one of the most popular landing zones? Your gutters. Your landscape and trees will come across a lot of fallen leaves so don’t forget to check the gutters, flower beds and other hidden crevices areas in your landscape. Though cleaning gutters isn’t a service offered by the Parke Company, cleaning out those gutters is a task that cannot be forgotten.

If you need other services such as tree care, compost, fall decorations or other tree and landscape services, contact the Parke Company today. (For a full list, click here.) Enjoy the fall weather since it’s only here for a short time longer, but be sure to remember your gutters!

Trees and Hackberry Wooly Aphids: 101

March 7, 2024October 9, 2015 by The Parke Company

parke-company-tree-site-trees-hackleberry-aphids-101-nashville Just because fall is here doesn’t mean it’s the end of bug season. Just like with other plants, trees are highly susceptible to invasive species. All kinds of pests can harm the trees and the things beneath them, not to mention annoy you, even in the fall. One of the more common pests in Nashville is the Hackberry wooly aphid: a small and furry bug that is about 1/10 inch long. Not only can these insects cause a lot of problems for trees but they also can cause issues with the people by creating falling hazards and damage to property. Here are just a few things to know about wooly aphids and how you can spot them if your trees and branches are infested.

These bugs infest Chinese Hackberry trees and can be found all over the U.S. and most of Asia. Blue or gray-toned, the bug also has black wings and secretes a wax or honeydew on the plants and other objects beneath them. The problem isn’t the bug itself, but the amount of honeydew it releases. You might walk outside and notice your car looks a little more “waxy.” Well, that’s not necessarily sap from a tree, but from the substance the bugs release. From cars to decks, the honeydew can create a big slippery mess, resulting in hazardous conditions. In addition, the dew can form into black mold that is hard to clean and damage patios, decks and other outdoor property.

If your tree is infested, you will notice the furry aphids on the branches and leaves of your trees, or you will see waxy film or mold underneath, which can be hard to clean up or get rid of. Because of this, it’s best to call in a tree care professional. The Parke Company is familiar with the woolly aphids and their arborists can recommend the best way to remove the insects from your trees.

Hackberry woolly aphids can be a serious problem if they’re not addressed. Plus, the moldy film the bugs secrete is an eye sore! The Parke Company arborists will recommend tree care to avoid future problems down the road. Whether you want to address fall/slip prevention or you want to avoid ugly mold on your property, inspect your Hackberry trees and their branches for any signs of these pesky bugs. If you do notice an infestation, call the Parke Company’s arborists team to discuss the next steps in removal. For more information about tree care and services within the Middle Tennessee area, call them today!

It’s Finally Fall! Why Leaves Change Their Colors

December 20, 2025September 18, 2015 by The Parke Company

Fall leaves in a mountain landscape Football season is in full force here in Middle Tennessee. Tennessee Titans, Vanderbilt and MTSU are all ready to play ball. And with the hysteria comes cooler nights and shorter days. That’s right folks, fall is settling in, which means Mother Nature’s tree decor is slowly changing colors. The changing colors of the trees is a beautiful backdrop to all of autumn’s activities. But exactly how do they change color and why do they eventually fall from their limbs? The answer is in the chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll is what gives leaves that rich green color during the summertime. When fall arrives, the weather cools down and the days become shorter, giving the leaves less access to sun and food. Because there are not enough resources for photosynthesis, the chlorophyll slowly disappears from the leaves, turning the leaves yellow and orange, then finally brown. Sometimes, the leaves of trees turn bright red or purple. This is due to trapped glucose levels and is mostly found in maple trees.

But as you know, the leaves eventually fall from their limbs leaving a mess all around your landscape. Though it can be fun for your family to play in, it eventually needs to be cleaned up. But why worry about cleanup it if you don’t have to? The Parke Company’s landscape team can assist you in leaf cleanup to protect your landscape from damage. In addition, the fallen leaves can become ideal composting material for your future landscape projects.

In addition to leaf clean-up, take care of other tree and lawn care tasks in one swoop this season. Other arborist or landscape services to be thinking about include:

Dead limb or tree removal — get rid of unwanted or dangerous branches and dead trees for a safe winter.
Leaf blowing or mulching for additional leaf pick up and tree chipper services — a much-needed service for landscapes with a lot of trees. After the clean-up is done, recycle the trash and use it for your future mulching needs.
Expert transplant services — this is the perfect time of year to begin scheduling transplant services for your trees. Give the Parke Company a call before it’s too late.

Autumn is a great season for the changing leaves here in Middle Tennessee. Enjoy the beauty, but don’t get bogged down in all the yard work. For more information about the Parke Company and their services, call an arborist today at (615) 405-6548.

Falling for Fall: Leaf Cleanup and Other To-Dos

March 7, 2024September 15, 2015 by The Parke Company

Orange and red leaves on a tree in fall One of the best parts about fall (except for the Vanderbilt and Titan football games) is the changing colors of leaves all around Nashville. The foliage is everywhere — from backyards to Sylvan Park. And it’s one of the true signifiers that we’re delving right into fall. However, those beautiful, orange trees are short lived. Before you know it, the leaves begin to fall and we are all left with a big mess to clean up. That’s where the Parke Company comes in. Unless you’re a 10 year-old jumping in the gathered pile of leaves, it’s safe to say this is a chore best left to the professionals. The Parke Company can not only take care of your trees during the spring and summer, but make sure they’re ready for dormancy during the fall and winter.

Here are a few other things that need to get done before winter sets in as well as leaf cleanup:

Mulching — Mulching is an important part of any landscape, and it’s a smart idea to use your fallen leaves as the mulching material. Not only is this a great method for recycling, it can be a huge cost-saver.

Firewood — With cold months come cold nights. What better way to warm up than with a nice fire? The Parke Company offers firewood of several varieties for customers interested. While the Parke Company is over raking leaves, stock up on your firewood and you’ll be set through the winter.

Final tree check-ups — Though check-ups need to be done while the leaves are still on the trees, it might not be too late to get an assessment. Call the Parke Company if you have an ill tree to see what’s going on before dormancy takes effect.

Debris Removal — Just like fallen leaves, your property might be littered with debris from old trees or late summer storms. The Parke Company can take care of that, just like they can take care of the leaves.

It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, there is always something that needs to get done. If we want to keep Nashville beautiful, it’s important to clean up and take care of any odds and ends that might need to be completed. Even if you just need some firewood, the Parke Company is always making sure your experience is easy and efficient. For more information or to contact the Parke Company about any of the above services in the Middle Tennessee area, contact them today!

Prepping for Fall: How Parke Can Help

March 7, 2024August 28, 2015 by The Parke Company

Fall landscaping work in a parking lot Nashville rush hour has gotten a little heavier and you know what that means: kids are back in school. School supplies, lunches and leaving a bit earlier in the mornings are forcing a bit more planning for families and business owners alike. And just like you’re planning for the new school year to begin, it’s important to plan out your autumn and winter tree care services. Between busy schedules and school back in full swing, you don’t want to fall behind on your tree care and lawn care needs.

We still have a few more months of warmer weather, but things will begin to cool down before we know it. As it does, it’s important to begin preparations for plants and tree care for the colder months. Landscape, lawns and trees will need to be treated and cared for before the freezing temps set in. If your residence or commercial property needs maintenance, here are a few things to consider to ensure you’re getting them done in plenty of time.

How The Parke Company Prepares You for Fall

Trees:

Even though trees go dormant in the winter, that doesn’t mean they should be neglected. To avoid damage during ice and snow storms, have branches checked for stability by certified arborists at Parke. In addition, health care checkups can be completed to check for any red flags. Not only will they monitor for damage or disease, but the team will set a plan in place to ensure your trees last for many years to come.

Landscape:

Mulching and debris pickup is a popular service for the Parke Company in the fall. As the leaves on trees begin to shed, removing them is just another chore you don’t have time for. Chipping and grinding is another similar service. If you have a stumps or dead trees, chipping and grinding is a great way to get rid of those pesky reminders. In addition, landscapes and gardens will need to be treated and cared for before the cold sets in. If you’ve got a large property with a lot of plants, be sure to call the Parke Company to ensure you are good to go for the winter.

With school starting and Vanderbilt and Titans football just around the corner, the last thing you need to be worrying about it is your landscape or trees. So call the Parke Company to complete the job before it’s too late! They service residential and commercial areas all around Nashville and the Middle Tennessee area. For landscape and tree information, contact a certified arborist or a landscape specialist today!