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Q&A: Scrub Clearing and Removing Invasive Species

March 7, 2024November 14, 2014 by The Parke Company

“Scrub clearing.” The sound of it doesn’t seem appealing, huh? But it’s a necessary evil we all have to take care of to ensure our trees, grass and landscape are healthy all year long. Yes, it keeps your trees and other plants beautiful, but is also important for cleaning out any invasive species that might’ve taken over during the summer months.

How can you get scrub clearing done? It’s a simple process, really. Just pick up the phone! The Parke Company will take care of any scrub clearing that needs to be done around your property.

Is it a one time job? Scrub clearing involves removing invasive species in your trees and other plants that are not meant to be in Nashville. Because invasive species are tricky and can harm your landscape, scrub clearing is a management process that takes time to complete.

What is the overall process look like? Invasive species should be constantly addressed. The Parke Company can do immediate removal, but additional steps will need to be taken for management purposes. All projects are different and depend on the invasive species at hand. The team will work with you to create a plan that fits with your schedule.

Scrub clearing can be done simply and efficiently with the Parke Company’s help. No matter what invasive species we are dealing with, the team will do their best to keep it under control. Tennessee has a wide range of exotic invasive plants that need controlling. For a full list, click here. To schedule your consultation for scrub clearing, contact the Parke Company today!

Emerald Ash Borer Headed to Nashville

March 7, 2024October 27, 2014 by The Parke Company

emerald-ash-borer-parke-company A new pest has emerged from Michigan and has made its way through the midwest to Tennessee. Originally from Asia, the Emerald Ash Borer is a ½ inch long bug with metallic green wings. Since its arrival, the bug has eaten its way through several states’ ash trees and destroyed millions of dollars in revenue. Now that it has emerged in Middle Tennessee, the problem hits close to home for many Nashville and Tennessee residents.

These insects feed solely on white and green ash trees, giving the bugs their name. According to the USDA, there are about 271 million green and white ash trees in the state of Tennessee. If the emerald ash borers are not controlled, these invaders could cost the state of Tennessee approximately $11 billion.

Unfortunately, early detection of the infestation is nearly impossible. Once the tree shows signs of symptoms, it has been anywhere from one to three years since the tree has been infested, making it too late to treat. The larvae feed on the tissue in the trunk, blocking off water and nutrients. Once the larvae has reached adulthood, they exit the tree, leaving distinct markings in the trunk; however the tree is usually too far gone. Symptoms include wilted leaves, fallen limbs and eventual tree death.

The insects are believed to be moving by transported firewood and unprocessed logs, which has now made its way through Tennessee and into our backyards. Though treatment can be difficult, the Parke Company works diligently to create preemptive measures for these possible infestations. While these practices are not always guaranteed, it’s your best bet in keeping your beloved ash trees alive. Have questions about ash trees, planting trees or other tree services? Call the Parke Company and they’ll assist you in any tree care you might need.

For more information or to inquire about tree care, call the Parke Company today.

Four Fantastic Trees for Fall Foliage

September 25, 2025October 16, 2014 by The Parke Company

red-maple-parke-fall-trees-color-leaves One of the best parts about fall is watching the leaves change. The vibrant colors from all of the trees is one of Earth’s beautiful qualities. But what are some of Tennessee’s most vibrant trees during the autumn months? Though there are several, here are just a few favorites.

Crepe Myrtle — With over 50 species, this small-sized tree produces vibrant orange leaves during the fall season. The same tree is often known for producing beautiful blooms through the spring and summer months, making this a popular tree among homeowners, particularly in Nashville and all through the South.

Red Maple — Nicknamed Autumn Blaze, this majestic tree can grow up to 49 feet tall and is a common tree through the state of Tennessee. During the fall months, its leaves can turn a deep red or orange giving it its name and popularity among many residents throughout the state.

Persimmon — Often thought of for its fruit, the persimmon tree develops beautiful orange/yellow trees during the fall, giving people another beautiful tree to admire. Easy to maintain, persimmon trees are a great way to grow fruit out of your backyard during the warm months, and then enjoy its foliage during the cooler ones.

American Smoke Tree — This tree is a small tree or large shrub native to Tennessee. Clocking in at about 10 to 15 feet tall, these beautiful fall trees have simple leaves and “smoke-like” flowers giving the tree its name. Because of their size, these trees are popular in gardens and other landscapes. During the fall, the leaves begin to change and turn into a variety of bright oranges and reds.

There are all kind of wonderful trees throughout the Middle Tennessee area that produce beautiful fall colors and the trees listed above aren’t the only ones. Sugar maple, tulip poplar, black gum, sweet gum, red oak and birch are others that produce beautiful leaves in the fall. Whether it is a red maple or a crepe myrtle, the fall foliage is a great way to get excited for the upcoming holiday festivities that are rapidly approaching us.

Once the leaves fall, do you need help cleaning them up? The Parke Company offers landscape services and will be able to take care of that in time! Happy Fall, y’all!

Preparing Trees for the Colder Months

March 7, 2024August 13, 2014 by The Parke Company

cabling-trees-parke-company-nashville Summer is almost over! (We know, we can hardly believe it either.) But before the nights begin to cool down and leaves start to fall, it’s important to assess your trees and have any trees transplanted or treated before it gets too cold. This will not only prevent any unforeseen damage to your trees, but it will also keep them safe as temperatures start to drop. This time of year is key in making sure your tree care is set and ready to go for the winter. Here are a few things to consider:

Planting/Transplanting — The fall is a great time for planting and transplanting any trees. If you have a tree that needs to be moved from one Nashville location to another, the Parke Company can accomplish this tree service for you. Just make sure to call them soon to schedule an appointment.

Spraying and Brush Removal — This tree service is important to complete before the tree goes dormant. Most chemical treatments require the tree to be in growing season, not asleep for the winter. Spraying your trees not only wards off any unwanted species during the year but also keeps the tree healthy during the winter. If you have a lot of brush to remove, this would be a good opportunity to bundle the services and get your property clean and ready for the cold months.

Health care checkups — Just like chemical treatments, completing health care assessments are necessary while the leaves are still on the trees. Not only can the Parke Company tell visually what is going on, but it allows the Parke Company to evaluate the tree during its peak months.

Prepping your trees for the colder months can be as simple as calling Parke to schedule a consultation. Your trees are an important part of your landscape, so it’s important to take care of them. Whether you need a tree transplanted or a simple health care checkup, the team at Parke can assist you. For more information about their services in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area, call them today.

Three Ways to Beat the Heat with the Parke Company

September 25, 2025July 31, 2014 by The Parke Company

trees-summer-heat-nashville If you haven’t been outside lately, it’s hot in Nashville. The heat and humidity are taking over in Middle Tennessee and it’s taking a toll on the trees all around Music City. Yes, trees are resilient beauties that can adapt to the weather, but it’s important to know what you can do to keep your trees as happy and healthy as possible. The Parke Company has a wide variety of services available for tree care to make sure your trees (or landscape) never have to suffer during these dog days of summer.

Three Ways To Your Trees Can Beat the Heat:

Tree Care Check-ups — Otherwise known as Plant Health Care (PHC), tree care is an important part of Parke’s services because it’s a preventative method of any foreseen problems your trees might come across. This includes the heat and humidity. If your trees are showing signs of dehydration or distress, call the Parke Company to schedule a check-up to make sure everything is good to go.
Irrigation — Irrigation is an important part of all lawn care needs. It keeps your landscape healthy, beautiful and well-hydrated. However irrigation doesn’t always mean “adding water.” Each species needs a specific amount and drainage. Not only does the Parke Company assist in tree care, but they also take care of your landscape and irrigation needs. Is your lawn looking a bit brown? Call them today to get your lawn care started.
Crown Thinning — Crown thinning is a tree care service in which removal of certain branches promote air flow and sunlight penetration. If your trees are not receiving enough airflow during these summer days, the Parke Company might suggest crown thinning as the way to go.

Your trees are not the only ones suffering from the blazing heat this summer, your landscape can also become dehydrated. Thankfully, the Parke Company also offers lawn care for any additional services you might need. Whether you live in Belle Meade or Franklin, the Parke Company can come out and make sure your trees and landscape are in tip-top shape to handle the rest of the hot days of summer. For more information about their service, call them today.