Electricity and Trees for Nashville Natives

The New Year has begun, but the snow, ice and bitter chill is still a familiar invader to the city of Nashville and its neighbors.  Although beautiful, the harsh weather can often damage homes, roadways and power lines all over Middle Tennessee. That’s why the Nashville Electric Service is routinely trimming and cutting down trees that pose electrically problems for customers all around the city.

Tress and other brush can be a safety hazard if in close contact with power lines. This is why NES works year-round to make sure trees and power lines are in safe distance from each other.  Whether it’s for routine maintenance or emergency situations, NES will cut or trim tress and brush to avoid power outages and other safety issues.

Before a tree is removed by NES, the following factors are evaluated:

1. Is the tree dead, dying or diseased?

2. What is the structural integrity of the tree?

3. Does the tree show any signs of the failure?

4. How much does the crown need to be trimmed?

Some similar factors are considered if brush is needed to removed from the area:

1. Is it in danger of growing into the power lines?

2. Is power lines and other NES equipment accessible?

3. Does the brush serve a purpose (example: sound barrier, protection screen, etc.)?

If the Nashville Electric Company feels that the answers to these questions can potentially cause future problems, your trees and brush might be trimmed, or even cut down in the blink of an eye.

The Parke Company understands the importance of electrical safety, but also know trees are an important part of our ecosystem. That’s why the company can help you make sure your trees and brush is within a safe distance, but also beautiful and prosperous. The Parke Company can even recommend where to plant new ones.

NES isn’t the only company working hard for Nashvillians this season. Be sure to contact The Parke Company for any questions, concerns or emergency situations — and stay warm!

New Year’s Resolutions for your Trees

A new year means new beginnings and, of course, new resolutions. And while some resolutions might be short-lived, keeping up with tree maintenance can be easy all year long with The Parke Company on your side. Here are several resolutions that will ensure healthy, beautiful trees for 2013.

1. Plant more trees — If you had to cut one down in the past year, consider planting a new one. Give back to Mother Nature. The Parke Company can help advise what type of tree is best suited for your property.

2. Routinely pick up fallen branches — Mark on your calendar when it’s time to clean up fallen branches and other debris and hold yourself accountable. This will ensure both a clean and beautiful yard all year long. The Parke Company can assist you in hauling away branches as well as mulching these materials for your landscaping purposes.

3. Give your trees a check-up  — Tree and plant health is vital to the ecosystem. The Parke Company can provide a thorough health care program and analysis that will ensure proper fertilization and water conditions, as well as prevent the trees from diseases and insect infestations.

4. Remove old stumps  — Have an eyesore in the middle of your yard that you never had time to deal with in 2012? Remove or grind all the stumps this year for a fresh start.

5. Remove deadwood — Have The Parke Company come out and remove all dead or dying branches. This is done for both the safety and overall structure of your beloved trees.

This resolution season, give your trees a facelift and a fresh start with any one of The Parke Company’s tree services. Tree maintenance is often overlooked as a New Year resolution, but it’s a key factor in making sure Nashville trees receive the best possible care all year long. “Contact us today for more information about our tree service options.”

Nashville’s Brush Pick-Up Services — What You Need to Know

Compiling brush might seem simple and easy, especially if the city is going to pick it up for you. However, there are some guidelines you must follow. The city of Nashville has some dos and don’ts we must follow in order to ensure a safe and quick pick up from your home.

Nashville Brush Pick-Up Guidelines – Dos and Don’ts

Do Not:

-Place branches and other brush near mailboxes, utility poles or other stationary objects.

-Leave other households trash and lumber out with your brush. The city will not pick it up.

-Place the brush too far from the road. If placed to far away, the knuckle boom truck cannot reach it.

-Place place materials close to storm sewers where they may potentially clog the drainage systems.

-Include branches that are longer than 15 feet and include root balls.

Do:

-Place brush close enough to the road for the truck to reach it, but leave enough room for the mechanical arm on the truck to operate.

-Place brush end to end and stack materials on top of one another. Height is typically not an issue for pick up.

For a full schedule of Nashville’s brush collection, visit http://www.nashville.gov/pw/docs/recycle/BrushFlyer.pdf. Please note that these services are offered by Metro to the Urban Services District. Self-incorporated cities such as Berry Hill, Belle Meade and Forest Hills have their own protocol. For information on their schedules, contact their city officials.

Always before moving brush, be sure professional help is not needed. The Parke Company will assist those who are in need and will ensure proper disposal of branches and tree waste. Once all your brush is picked up, call the Parke Company again to begin all your winter and spring prepping needs. It’s never too early to begin planning new trees and other landscaping for the new year.

For more information about the Parke Company and their services,  visit www.treeserviceofnashville.com.

Got Limbs?

Cold weather has arrived. The leaves have fallen. And frost has clung unmercifully to the branches and trees. So now what? What’s the next step in maintaining a healthy tree and a beautiful yard that sits below it? There are so many different and efficient ways to reuse the fallen limbs right here in Nashville. We’ve got several ideas that can satisfy both your creativity and the urge to “go green.”

Crafts – The ideas are endless! Gather fallen limbs and use them for family craft time. Consider making picture frames, Christmas ornaments, flower vases or children’s toys. This is a great way to bring the outdoors inside when the weather is just too cold.

Pick-up – Nashville -Davidson County will collect all your brush and leaves. Look for when your zone is due for a pickup and plan accordingly. From brush to leaves to grass clippings, Public Works will pick it up. Please note that as of 2011, yard waste is banned from your solid waste collection and it cannot be put in with your household trash.

Drop-off – If the pick up dates don’t work for you, Nashville has recycling providers where you can drop off all the fallen limps. Both Bordeux Mulch Facility and Alternative Energy, LLC provide drop off services and accepts materials such as limbs, brush, leaves, non-commercial grass clippings and untreated wood. You can contact Bordeu Mulch Facility at (615) 862-8640. You may also contact Alternative Energy, LLC at (615) 255-8287.

Other ideas – You can always use fallen limbs and other materials for composting and mulching purposes. Use fallen limbs as
firewood or take it a step further and host a bonfire!

All these are great ways are sure-fire way to reuse all those fallen limbs and other materials in your yard. But before you risk injury to yourself, be sure a professional help is not needed. The Parke Company will assist you in discarding any limbs that may be too heavy or big. For any questions or assistance in moving all your brush, please visit www.treeserviceofnashville.com.

Tree Maintenance for Winter – How to Prepare for the Unexpected

Nashville’s eclectic. It’s culture presence, it’s people and of course, it’s climate. One day Nashvillians can be enjoying a warm, beautiful day at Percy Warner Park and the next bundled up in front of a fire watching the snowfall.

That’s why it’s important for the people of Music City to be prepared for all weather extremes and abnormal temperatures. From deadwood removal to removing trees, The Parke Company is certified in all treecare and tree removal services and provides both residential and commercial tree maintenance throughout all of Middle Tennessee.

While it’s unusually warm, consider taking care of your all routine tree maintenance now. This way, you’re protected and ready to go if a winter storm hits. Some of the benefits of routine tree maintenance include:

1. Deadwood removal — This service is often overlooked during the winter months but should be an important to-do for everyone’s checklist. Heavy snow and ice on an already dead branch can be potentially disastrous. The Parke Company will remove all dead and diseased branches from the trees to ensure safety for the tree and your property. The last thing you need on Christmas Day is a power outage in result of fallen branches.

2. Debris Services — Strong storm winds can easily pick up these loose items and cause severe damage to your property. Clean up all those natural materials around your property such as fallen limbs, debris and logs as for both an aseptically pleasing and safety measure.

3. Firewood — Going out in the bitter cold to find firewood doesn’t sound appealing to anyone. So make sure you’ve got all the proper materials for a cozy fire while the weather is still nice. Not only will this be less of a chore, but you’re killing two birds with one stone by gathering firewood while you’re taking care of other tree maintenance.

In the event an extreme weather storm arrives in Middle Tennessee and the unexpected happens, the crew at The Parke Company is ready for all your emergency needs. For further questions about your maintenance and emergency situations, contact the experts at (615) 405-6548 or email danbeasley@theparkecompany.com.