The Parke Company | The Parke Company

Is My Tree Dying?

March 7, 2024May 4, 2012 by The Parke Company

3 signs that your tree is sick or dying

Your trees are part of your home. They offer shade, beauty and the peace of being surrounded by nature even in the most urban settings. But they don’t live forever.

The lifespan of a tree can vary, and there are definite signs that your tree may be sick or dying. Here are 3 things to look at:

Leaves. Do the leaves look healthy and lush? Are they falling off when they should be at their peak? Is there a noticeable reduction in the number of leaves this season compared to last?
Bark. You may not pay much attention to the bark on your trees, but you’ll definitely notice if it becomes brittle and starts to fall off. You might even notice the trunk beneath looking or feeling spongy or brittle.
Branches. Do the branches that once reached high and strong into the sky seems to be weak and drooping? Does it look as if gravity is winning the battle? Has the slightest breeze caused a branch to crack or even break off?

There are many reasons that a tree may get sick or even die — disease, age, drought, insects — but many of the signs are the same. If you have questions or concerns about a tree in your yard, contact us and we’d be happy to take a look at it for you.

After the Storm: When to Call a Professional

March 7, 2024May 1, 2012 by The Parke Company

When the clouds roll away after a particularly strong springtime storm, the first inclination for many homeowners to to step outside and survey the damage left behind.

You might even hold your breath as you head out the front door.

No matter the damage — minimal or downright frightening — it immediately becomes time for storm cleanup. So, when do you clean up with your own two hands and when do you call a professional?

You can do it yourself when:

Small branches have fallen from trees into your yard or flower beds. A little sweat and time can take care of that.
A small tree that you’ve recently planted comes out of the ground, roots and all. It could possibly be replanted.
Leaves and small debris have accumulated in your yard. Again, a bit of time and work on your part can clean that right up.

Call a professional when:

Branches have fallen on the roof, your vehicles or utility lines. Be sure to take pictures for insurance purposes before the work gets started. Don’t try to move these branches on your own. Think safety first!
An old, established tree breaks off leaving a large stump. Stumps can create hazards in your yard. Our team can even turn that tree into firewood for the winter months.
You just don’t want to do it yourself. Our professional team is experienced and ready to help you with post-storm cleanup. We’ll treat your home as well as we treat our own.

The Benefits of Prevention

December 10, 2024April 26, 2012 by The Parke Company

Prevent Storm Damage: Simple Tree Maintenance Tips to Protect Your Property

At some point over the years, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It applies to so many thing in life — including the trees in your yard.

As spring and summer storms threaten the area, they also threaten to damage trees, your house and vehicles. By taking a few simple steps now, you can lessen any potential storm damage and protect your property.

Get branches off the roof of the house. Large branches touching your roof are simply inviting problems. Ants and other pests use those branches as a one-way street up to your roof. And just imagine the havoc they could wreak during a storm. Strong winds can sway the branches back and forth, loosening and even removing shingles. Larger branches have the potential to fall right through upper-story windows or weak spots in the roof.
Have dead or dying trees removed. Not all trees will live forever. Some have a life expectancy of 10 years or even fewer. Dead or dying trees are the weakest, of course, ready to be demolished by a good strong storm. Don’t wait for your dying trees to damage property; go ahead and have them removed when they show signs that they are beginning to die.
Think about your neighbors. Good fences make good neighbors, so you want to make sure those fences are still standing after a storm. If there are branches or even full trees that look as if they could crumble your fence during a storm, take preventative measures now to make sure those trees — and fences — are as stable as possible.

For more information about preventing storm damage by trees on your property, contact us. We can visit your home and offer a free estimate of services, including pointing out the potential storm hazards facing your home.

5 DIY Tips to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal

December 10, 2024April 20, 2012 by The Parke Company

Simple Ways to Refresh Your Yard This Spring

Springtime is a beautiful time in Middle Tennessee. The birds are singing. Flowers are blooming. Why not use this time of year as a good excuse for sprucing up your own home — not on the inside, but the outside. By doing some spring cleaning and landscaping in your yard, you’ll beautify your home at the same time.

By following one or more of the suggestions below, you could be the envy of your neighborhood:

Add some color. Nothing says springtime like the bright blooms on flowering trees and plants. You can’t change the color of your brick or roof shingles, at least not very easily, but you can add a window box with with some blooming native plants or a large, colorful planter full of winding vines to your front yard.
Add some fragrance. The same goes for fragrant plants and trees. Scents can be welcoming and relaxing additions to your yard, meeting all who pass by on the sidewalk with a friendly hello.
Invite wildlife. Why just enjoy the singing birds in the distance when you can host them at your own home? Hanging a bird feeder in your yard will add life and the activity of nature to your home.
Clear the mess. Have you cleaned your yard of all the leaves and needles that were dropped there in the fall and winter months? If you haven’t, it’s time to go for it. Be sure to clear out from under bushes and hedges, too.
Trim and prune. Trimming and pruning hedges and trees will not only add life to them, it will also liven up your yard and the front of your house. Raising the canopy on the trees in the front yard will make your yard look larger, and by clearing the branches and allowing the sun to shine in, you’ll also show off that new window box and bird feeder. If we can help with the bigger trees and branches, just call us!

What to do in a Storm

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

Spring is almost here which means high winded storms may be in the forecast. Call the tree experts at The Parke Company to come inspect your trees to test their health as well as where they may fall in the event of the heavy winds, like a tornado.

Some helpful high wind storm tips:

* Make sure your trees are secure in your yard and have them maintained throughout the year to avoid disease or bug infestations that will harm the integrity of your trees

* Have the upper limbs of your trees looked at and determine their health so you are sure they won’t fall under strong winds

* Never go outside if you suspect a storm is coming, go into a basement or a room without windows until the storm passes – remember a tornado can look invisible until it picks up enough debris

* Never open your windows to equalize the pressure, it allows the storm winds and debris to enter your home

If you experience tree damage caused by a storm, page our emergency tree service line at (615) 201-9999. Or call Dan Beasley at (615) 405-6548 to schedule a free estimate on your trees’ health.