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5 Ways to Recycle Your Trees

March 7, 2024July 24, 2012 by The Parke Company

We recently blogged about the benefits of tree removal. Sometimes it’s simply a necessity. But then what? As we all try to do our part to reduce, reuse and recycle, sometimes what we need to do is upcycle. Take that downed tree, and do something decorative with it. Here are five ideas:

Mulch. Not every species of tree will make good mulch, but the ones that do will keep your tree in your very own yard, adding to the landscaping and beauty. After the Christmas holidays, many cities will accept Christmas trees, turning them into mulch to sell back to the community. Check your city government’s website for details.
Firewood. Again, not every tree will make ideal firewood. When we help with tree removal, we’re happy to help you determine what trees would make the best firewood for use in your home.
Coasters/trivets. If you’re feeling really crafty, you can slice small branches into coasters and larger branches into trivets for use in your kitchen and dining room. A simple stain or varnish and some felt on the bottom will help them last and protect your furniture.
Wildlife/bird habitat. Neighbors might not appreciate a random pile of branches in your front yard, but a couple of well places branches and tree trunks in the backyard might make an ideal environment for birds and wildlife.
Woodworking. Does your father-in-law dabble in woodworking like mine does? He can take an old, dried out tree branch and turn it into a beautiful window planter or birdhouse. Again, not all tree species are ideal for woodworking projects, but the right ones create beautiful projects.

If you have questions about tree removal or recycling — make that upcycling — your trees, feel free to give us a call. We’re always happy to help.

Want to Increase Your Property Value? Plant a Tree

March 7, 2024July 5, 2012 by The Parke Company

It’s been said that a house isn’t a home without a dog. One might also be able to say that a house isn’t a home without a perfect shade tree in the yard.

Trees serve many purposes: They provide shade, create habitation for wildlife, filter the air around us from dust and pollutants. Studies have even shown that trees help reduce stress and improve recovery time in surgery patients when they have an open view of trees from their hospital rooms.

All those things are great. But here’s possibly the best news: Planting trees can provide economic benefits. (Sorry, money still doesn’t grow on tress though.) But how?

Planting trees on the south and west sides of your home can help reduce cooling costs in the hot summer months. If those trees are deciduous — meaning that they lose their leaves each fall/winter — those trees will also allow sun to filter through and warm your home in those cooler months.
Evergreen trees on the north side of your home, and shrubs around the foundation, can help reduce the impact of cold winter winds.
The value of a well-landscaped yard with mature trees can increase as much as 10 percent when compared with a similar home with little or no landscaping.

When it comes times to sell, that’s a big deal!

“Landscaping is absolutely imperative in today’s housing market,” says Von M. Dotson, Nashville-area realtor with Keller Williams Realty. “Curb appeal is a peek at the home before the front door ever opens… Today’s housing market is essentially a beauty contest, and it’s the little things — like landscaping — that can stand between a house being ‘listed’ and a house being ‘sold.’”

If you need help planting a tree, preparing your landscaping to sell your home, or simply making your trees better work for your yard and your home, please contact us. We’re happy to help!

3 Benefits of Tree Removal

March 7, 2024July 3, 2012 by The Parke Company

We love our trees. They provide shade, filter the air and create homes for birds and wildlife. They line the path along many of the journeys we take in life, and they even provide scenery in our memories. I can remember the tree-lined drive out to my grandfather’s ranch as if I were just there yesterday — I loved feeding the goats with him once we got there. And I probably haven’t made that drive in more than 20 years.

But sometimes, unfortunately, trees need to be removed. Storms roll in and cause damage; pests and disease wreak havoc. And some trees just don’t live forever. Even though it’s hard to let go of the memories and beauty of a removed tree, the benefits are plentiful. Tree removal can:

Beautify the landscape. Sometimes, more is just too much when it comes to landscaping. And when trees become overgrown and mature, they can take over other aspects of your yard. Removing a tree can let other elements of your landscaping — flower beds, container gardens, etc. — shine through.
Protect your home, including your roof. A damaged or diseased tree is just an accident waiting to happen. One strong wind, and you home and roof could be in trouble. By removing dying, diseased or damaged trees early, you can prevent damage to your property.
Increase space and sunlight in yard. It may be tempting to brag about a yard that gets shade all day long, but that shade may be keeping your yard from reaching its full potential. Tree removal can provide sunlight, fresh air flow and space to your yard, allowing the grass and other elements of your landscape to thrive and grow.

If you have questions about tree removal and the benefits this service can provide, please feel free to contact us.

Summertime Tree Planting

March 7, 2024June 22, 2012 by The Parke Company

The summer months are perfect for many things: Enjoying time at the beach. Sleeping late when school is out. Eating a snow cone before it has time to melt. But the summer months are not good for adding new trees and plants to your landscaping.

The extremes of summer — heat, drought, longer days of sun exposure — make this time of year the worst time to plant. It can be difficult to keep the soil around the tree consistently damp enough to properly feed and nourish a tree when planted this time of year. A tree planted this time of year can become stress, susceptible to pests and disease.

There are certain species of trees that can survive and even thrive when planted properly during the summer months. If you must plant during the extremes of summertime, we’re here to help. We’ll take the time and care to:

Help you pick out the right tree for your yard, considering the life expectancy of the tree, the full size of the mature tree, and how the tree complements your current landscaping.
Prepare the tree hole, measuring for the root ball and taking into considering the root growth as it will apply to your home’s foundation and the rest of your landscaping.
Educate you about tree care. Once the tree goes into the ground, the work isn’t over yet. You’ll need to mulch, keep grass away (it competes with your tree for water and nutrients), and feed and tend to your tree correctly.

4 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Tree Service Company

March 7, 2024June 9, 2012 by The Parke Company

When disaster strikes in the form of damaging spring and summertime weather, it seems that fly-by-night businesses try to make a buck on the misfortune. All too often, our news hours following a storm are filled with stories of roof-repair and tree-service companies that take way too much money from customers and never deliver a service. People like that give all the businesses in their industry a bad name.

But if need such services — like hiring a reputable company to clear trees from your yard following a storm — there are certain qualities and qualifications you should look for. Before hiring a service company, consider the following:

How long have they been in business? You probably want to do business with a company that is established and trusted in your community. The Parke Company and Tree Service of Nashville have served our area for more than 20 years. We’re not going anywhere soon.
Is the company insured? If there is unintentional damage to your property or if someone is hurt on the job, is it your responsibility or theirs? Make sure they are bonded and insured as necessary.
Are they members of organizations and groups that keep them at the leading edge of their industry? For example: The Parke Company and Tree Service of Nashville are certified members of the International Society of Arboriculture.
What would your friends say about the business? Getting a reference or referral in these days of social media is incredibly fast and easy. Ask your friends on Facebook and Twitter for recommendations. Search sites like yelp.com and the Better Business Bureau for information on a business before hiring them. Reviews, referrals and recommendations are more valuable than any amount of advertising a company can do.

If you have any questions about Tree Service of Nashville’s qualifications or services, please feel free to contact us. We’re happy to discuss your needs with you.