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Four Tree Services to Ensure Safety This Fall and Winter

December 4, 2025October 29, 2024 by The Parke Company

A crane trimming a bare tree in a neighborhood.

Tree service for your property is about a lot more than improving the aesthetics of your landscape. Well-cared-for trees create a safer environment for you, your family, and your neighbors. Here are four services The Parke Company can offer you right now to ensure safety this fall and winter.

The Importance of Professional Tree Service

Tree service should be a regular component of your landscape maintenance plan. It’s critical to the health of your trees and the entire ecosystem of your yard. A tree’s health is complicated, and the visible signs of distress are easy to miss in the fall since most trees naturally shed their leaves at this time of year. Preparing your plants and trees for the winter can be a difficult task, especially given how unpredictable Nashville’s winters have been in recent memory. Ice storms, record snowfalls, and buckets of rain can all wreak havoc on an unhealthy tree, making costly emergency tree service necessary. Get ahead of the weather—work with The Parke Company for your tree maintenance this fall.

1. Tree Assessment and Inventory

The best way to ensure your trees are prepared for winter dormancy and the spring storm season is to have them assessed by an arborist. Safety-focused tree services are a must for any property owner who has many large trees on their land. Large trees pose a greater danger to structures and people, which means taking their health seriously is incredibly important to prevent injury and damage. Tree experts are able to take stock of the trees on your property and determine which ones might need some help, whether that’s re-grading the lawn for better drainage and moisture or removing dead limbs. During a tree assessment, an arborist can look for hidden and obvious signs of disease and infection, then make the appropriate plan to prevent that disease from spreading within the tree and to other trees on the property. An arborist’s two primary goals are your safety and the health of your trees, so you can rest assured that they can make the right call when it comes to preventing tree damage this fall and winter.

2. Pruning and Trimming

How do you protect plants and trees for the winter? You prune them! Pruning is the act of removing dead, diseased, or problematic tree limbs. Pruning is more complicated than simply cutting a dead limb off of a tree, though. Consider the height of the tree and the logistics of safely getting up there to prune it effectively. A small tree may be something you can handle with a ladder yourself, but even doing that poses an inherent risk. Leaving tree pruning to the professionals will ensure that you aren’t harmed, and it also makes sure that the tree isn’t harmed by the pruning. With each limb you remove from a tree, no matter how small it may be, you open up a wound. These wounds, if not properly planned, can cause rot, pests, and disease to enter the tree easily.

We prune trees in the winter to help keep this from happening. Winter and fall are the best seasons for tree pruning for a few reasons. Since the weather is cooler, pests and fungal diseases are less likely to find their way into a tree. Additionally, a tree is in its dormant phase during winter, and it can devote more energy and resources to healing the wound than it can in the summer when it’s focusing a lot on growing leaves. How you cut when you prune matters, and an arborist is going to know the proper angle and location to cut to remove a limb effectively and prevent damage. Pruning and trimming services from The Parke Company are much more affordable than emergency tree services when a limb falls and damages the tree and property around it. It’s best to be proactive when trimming to prevent safety risks this winter.

3. Deadwood Removal

Deadwood is a fact of life for trees, even those that are maintained well. Limbs and branches can die for many reasons, but any deadwood does require removal. Deadwood attracts pests like termites because the wood is much easier to consume and burrow into, but they won’t stop at the deadwood once they’re in a tree. Fall and winter often face turbulent weather, and deadwood is especially likely to fall during high winds or under heavy precipitation like snow and freezing rain. Dead limbs falling can lead to damage to the tree and surrounding property, which can be far more costly than regular tree service. If you’re looking for tree maintenance near you to resolve your deadwood issues, look no further than The Parke Company. We’ve serviced Nashville property owners for decades, safely and effectively removing deadwood to keep everything and everyone on the ground free from harm.

4. Tree Removal

If your tree assessment reveals a tree that needs to be removed from your property, having it done quickly and safely is important. Winter in Nashville is a good time for tree removal because the absence of leaves makes climbing and cutting easier for an arborist. No matter the size of a tree, removing it yourself is never a good idea. Trees can be unpredictable when you’re cutting them down if you don’t have the experience of an arborist. Winds can drastically change, and a tree can fall in the wrong direction, causing damage to your property or physical harm to you. Without the proper equipment, removing a tree is a dangerous and incredibly risky DIY project that could have disastrous consequences. At The Parke Company, we know how to safely remove trees piece by piece if need be, making sure that our people (and your property) are safe. Proactive tree removal can guarantee that you don’t have to worry about an at-risk tree falling during a winter storm, and it can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Don’t Skip Tree Services Over the Winter

If you want your trees to be safe and healthy—and your property to be free of the dangers posed by tree damage—you need to be prepared this fall and winter. Work with local professionals at The Parke Company for your tree service this season, and you’ll be in good hands.

Leaf Peeping: Best Nashville Fall Spots

July 29, 2025October 12, 2024 by The Parke Company

A colorful cityscape with buildings, skyscrapers, trees, and blue sky.

Fall is here, and that means the leaves are quickly changing colors! Want to check out the best spots for taking in this autumnal metamorphosis? Take a look at our list of the best places to view vibrant fall trees.

A Primer on Leaf Peeping in Nashville

If you’re not an autumn aficionado, you might wonder: what is leaf peeping? Allow us to explain. This trend has been around for decades! Leaf peeping is the practice of traveling, near or far, to view and photograph the changing fall leaves. Usually paired with hiking or other forms of outdoor recreation, leaf peeping has remained popular to this day thanks to social media and a desire to reconnect with nature. The practice spans cultures, too, as Japan has its own term for leaf peeping, which is a cultural tradition that dates back hundreds of years.

Each part of the United States has its own leaf peeping locales and timelines, but in Nashville, we can expect peak season to hit in early November. Leaves may start changing earlier, with great vistas coming as soon as the second week of October, making any time from now until Halloween a great time to head out and take in some fall foliage. If that’s not specific enough for you, you’re in luck—the 2024 Fall Foliage Map is regularly updated based on changing weather patterns and observations, making it an excellent resource for guiding your leaf peeping tour.

Nobody asked for a science lesson, but let’s explore a bit about why leaves change color each year. Leaves get their green color from a substance called chlorophyll, which is created by the tree as it processes sunlight into glucose (the nutrition for the tree). Without chlorophyll, the fall leaf colors we get to see for a few choice weeks would actually be the colors we see year-round. As sunlight loses its strength and daylight hours decline in the fall, chlorophyll production stops, and the leaves revert to their natural colors. Orange, red, and yellow hues are all owed to other naturally occurring substances in leaves. Without chlorophyll, leaves don’t serve much purpose to a tree, so it sheds its leaves to conserve energy in the cold, dormant winter months.

If you’re looking for some great places to view the trees in and around Nashville during this transformation, consider:

1. Centennial Park

Right in the heart of Nashville, Centennial Park is the largest park in the city. Boasting 132 acres of natural beauty, this space also hosts the iconic Parthenon, which is the world’s only exact-size replica of the Parthenon in Greece. The many paths of Centennial Park are easily accessible and a very easy walk, making this trail approachable to leaf peepers of any level of physical ability. Catching the view of fall foliage reflected off of Lake Watauga makes for a natural beauty that’s been photographed thousands of times. In the fall, the foliage here is the backdrop for many photo shoots, and the park’s large footprint means you can spread out and experience nature in peace right in the middle of Tennessee’s biggest city. As you tour the park and take in the fall foliage, you might forget that you’re in the city at all. This is by far your best bet for seeing fall leaves in Nashville.

2. Radnor Lake State Park

Just south of Nashville sits Radnor Lake State Park, a sprawling vestige of nature open from 6 AM to sunset 365 days a year. At a colossal 1,368 acres, this park is chock full of fall leaf peeping opportunities. With almost eight miles of trails that are only for hiking, wildlife observation, and photography, you can rest assured you’re not dealing with any distractions as you take in the autumn colors. The Aviary Education Center is home to several birds of prey, so you can catch a glance at even more natural wonders as you hike around the park. While not in Nashville city limits, we think Radnor Lake State Park might just be the best place to see fall colors in Tennessee.

3. Warner Parks

Percy Warner Park and Edwin Warner Park are other local Nashville options that are just a few miles from downtown. These two parks were created in the 20th century, with Percy Warner Park being the older of the two. Warner Park has over 3,000 acres of forests, hiking paths, and community spaces with tons of fall leaves on display each year. The Parks are home to seven scenic overlooks, giving you unparalleled vistas of autumn leaves just minutes from the city. The walking paths here range from paved paths that are easy to navigate to more natural dirt trails that can get you closer to nature. No matter where you end up at Warner Parks, you’re sure to get some great leaf peeping done.

4. Shelby Bottoms Nature Center and Greenway

Another city staple, Shelby Bottoms Nature Center and Greenway is composed of over 1,000 acres of nature. Rent a bike and ride through Shelby Bottoms, taking in the ever-changing autumn landscape that we’re lucky enough to call home. With over five miles of paved ADA-compliant trails, these parks are easily accessible for any leaf peeper looking to take in the sights this fall. If you’re seeking a more natural hiking experience, there are another five miles of primitive hiking trails for the adventurous leaf peeper. The Nature Center is home to cultural exhibits and exhibit space, as well as a library with information, field guides, and children’s books about nature and Nashville. If you’re looking for an easy-to-access but massive park full of leaf peeping opportunities, you can’t miss Shelby Bottoms Nature Center and Greenway.

Don’t Miss the Fall Leaves This Year!

Now you’re ready to get out there and take in the fall scenery that Nashville provides. But if you’re dreading the fallen leaves back at home, it may be time to call the experts at The Parke Company. Our leaf removal services are second to none, so while you explore Nashville and the surrounding area in search of stunning fall vistas, we’ll take care of the leaves piling up at home. Give us a call today for a free consultation and estimate for your fall cleanup.

Get Ready to Winterize Your Irrigation System

June 24, 2025September 27, 2024 by The Parke Company

Your irrigation system has served you well all spring and summer, but fall is here, and it’s time to get it ready for a long winter’s nap. Here’s how irrigation winterization works, from the last sprinkler session to deep sleep.

The Importance of Winterization

Irrigation system winterization is a critical step for home and business owners looking to get the longest lifespan out of their systems. We aren’t often spared from freezing winter weather in Nashville, so it’s especially important for residents to get their systems ready for the cold.

Winterization is important for an irrigation system for a few reasons. Irrigation systems are full of water, and when water freezes, it expands. In the winter, ground temperatures are often considerably warmer than the air temperatures, but if the air gets cold enough, the ground can get below freezing. Even one night of freezing temperatures is enough to freeze the water in a non-winterized irrigation system. This freeze can cause pipes to crack or burst and can also damage fittings and the various hardware components in the sprinklers. Proper winterization of your irrigation system can prevent this damage to the pipes and fittings, saving you a lot of money and headaches when the spring thaw comes. Repairing damaged irrigation systems can be costly, and parts of your lawn will need to be dug up to determine the extent of the damage and troubleshoot the entire system. This process will not only set your watering back, but it can leave bald spots on your lawn that can take weeks or months to grow back.

Even in the mildest of winters, all it takes is one cold night to completely destroy an irrigation system. These parts aren’t delicate, but ice is a huge detriment to plumbing. Just as your home’s pipes can burst in a particularly intense cold snap, it can also happen to your irrigation system. So, how do you prepare your irrigation system for winter and prevent the damage that it can sometimes bring?

Winterization Walkthrough

Now that you’re more acquainted with the risks that winter poses to your irrigation system, let’s explore how to properly winterize it. As with any landscaping task, some homeowners may feel more comfortable leaving the job in the hands of professionals. Working with The Parke Company to prepare your irrigation system for winter is a breeze. If you’re looking to go it alone or simply want to know what steps are involved in proper irrigation system winterization, read on to explore the entire process.

1. Stop the Water

If you’re looking for info on how to winterize an irrigation system, you probably already know the first step. Cutting off the water to the system will prevent the pipes from filling with water, ensuring that it doesn’t have the chance to freeze and expand in the pipes beneath your lawn. But simply turning off the system isn’t enough. Even if you turn off a pump’s electronic components, you need to make sure there’s no water getting to the system. Find your system’s main valve and shut it off firmly. This generally involves a physical valve that you need to turn to the closed position, usually indicated on the valve handle. Next, also close your system’s backflow valve. This valve is on most modern irrigation systems and will be housed near the main valve, so if you see two valves, make sure they’re both closed.

2. Disable the Timer

Even fairly antiquated systems feature a timer, so it’s important to make sure it’s shut off. Timers tell the system when to pump water into the pipes, which we obviously don’t want to happen. These electronic components can usually be disabled and put into winter or rain mode. Older systems do this to ensure that the timer is disabled without removing your current time settings. Modern systems with smart integration will remember your timer settings automatically, so simply disable the timer in your app, and you’re all set. Consult your manual if you’re struggling to find information on how to do this for your specific system, or call the experts at The Parke Company and let us handle it!

3. Drain the System

After you’ve shut the water off to the system, there’s still going to be water left behind in the pipes. You can’t simply run the system until it’s empty, however, since many use water pressure to actually operate. This means that it will just pump more water into the pipes to push out the older water, putting you right back to square one. This is the most involved step of winterization for some systems, especially older ones. Even though this is challenging, you cannot neglect this step. There are a few draining methods, and some are much simpler than others. More advanced systems have automatic draining, which uses a pump or other method for draining the remaining water from the pipes and fixtures. If your system has this, then simply follow the steps in your manual. If you don’t have that option, it’s likely one of two other options. The first is a manual drain. Manual drainage irrigation systems use gravity to drain the system. Usually, there is an exit valve at the low point of your property that’s hooked up to the irrigation system. Open the valve here slowly once the water is shut off (and expect waterworks). Because the system is pressurized, water can come out quickly, so always wear eye protection, and don’t stand in front of the valve. Some systems also have an air drainage system, which enables you to hook up an air compressor and blow the water from the pipes. This method should only be used in systems that have that as an available option. Check your manual closely to ensure that your model of irrigation system can work with air. Improper air drainage can cause extensive damage and bodily harm, so it’s important to take precautions when draining the system.

4. Insulate

Above-ground components of your irrigation system, like sprinkler heads, need to be properly insulated from the cold air. Because air temperatures are lower than ground temperatures, this step is important. There are plenty of products available to help cover and insulate sprinklers and other valves in the winter, but make sure you’re using a method that’s approved by the manufacturer.

Get Help Winterizing Your Sprinkler System

Winterizing your irrigation setup is a task you need to take seriously this fall, but you don’t need to take it on alone. Work with The Parke Company this year for your irrigation system winterization, and give yourself some peace of mind that this investment is well protected all winter.

Four Reasons to Tackle Weeds in the Fall

June 24, 2025September 14, 2024 by The Parke Company

Weeding is an important task year-round for your garden and your lawn. But it’s especially critical to tackle weeds in the fall for a variety of reasons, which we’ll explore right now.

1. Fall Cleaning

Fall leaves already create a big headache for homeowners looking to keep their lawns clean and healthy, so it might be a bit of a hassle to tack on weed control in this already busy time. But when you incorporate weed control into your fall lawn care routine, you actually reduce the amount of work you’ll need to do later in the year. It’s easiest to kill weeds in the fall because they’re in the early stages of development. Weeds are very hardy and can survive a lot, so taking them on when they’re weak and still taking root is a great way to ensure they’re dead before spring. Many winter annual weeds, like henbit, chickweed, and purple deadnettle, start germinating in the late summer, reaching the early stages of growth in the fall. Cleaning up leaves from garden beds and lawns takes away places for weeds to hide, ensuring you catch them quickly and early.

Since Nashville winters often don’t get too cold, we’re stuck with weeds year-round that can become especially visible and disruptive in the winter months when lawns are dormant. Removing weeds by hand is the most effective way of getting rid of them if they’re visible, and it only requires simple tools and some elbow grease. If you came here wondering, “Should I bother pulling weeds in the fall?” then wonder no more! The answer is a resounding yes. Fall is the best time to manually remove weeds, but more than that, it’s the best time for weed prevention, too. Read on to learn how The Parke Company can help you prevent weeds with herbicides.

2. Take a Weed Inventory

The best way to prevent weeds from forming this fall and winter is to know what you’re up against. Not every lawn and garden bed is susceptible to the same kinds of weeds. Different types of grass come with their own common weeds, so a one-size-fits-all weed treatment plan doesn’t exist for diverse Nashville lawns. While you’re killing weeds in the fall, take note of what kinds of weeds you’re seeing. Whether you’re removing henbit, chickweed, crabgrass, or deadnettle, each has its own treatment plan. Manually weeding is a lot of work, but when you couple the process with weed prevention, it should dramatically reduce the amount of effort you need to put forward next year. Sometimes, when you prevent one weed, a new type of weed takes its place. This is why a yearly weed inventory is so helpful—it can really help identify the problem you may face in the spring long before the weeds get out of hand. Fortunately, many weed prevention herbicides can treat multiple types of weeds, among other lawn and garden issues.

3. Weed Prevention

Weed prevention is important for your landscaping year-round, but fall is the best time to apply herbicides and make changes to prevent weeds from growing. Annual weeds spread by seeds, and winter weeds spread quickly and can be relatively hard to see until they grow quickly in the spring. You can spray for a variety of weeds in the fall, and it really is the best time of the year to tackle winter weeds. It’s important to note that herbicides for the garden and lawn are different, so ensure you’re using the proper type of chemicals for each area of your landscaping. Herbicides can be dangerous if applied incorrectly, so this is one area that you should rely on the pros for. At The Parke Company, we’ve been applying chemical weedkillers to lawns for years, and our experience means that you and your home will be safe from any issues these chemicals may cause. Expert precision also ensures that weeds are fully controlled and aren’t going to sneak into other areas of the lawn. Applying herbicides evenly can be difficult without specialized equipment, so a landscaping company is your best bet for getting that high-quality application. The weed killers applied in the fall are called preemergence herbicides because they target weeds before they grow in the spring. These weed killers are different from the kind you may use in the spring or summer, so ensure you’re using the right product in the right season.

4. Reduce Pests and Increase Moisture

Weeds are disruptive on their own in a garden or lawn, depriving your plants of nutrients and growing quickly over the grass line. But weeds are far from just unsightly nutrient hogs for a lawn or garden; they can also invite pests that a healthy lawn wouldn’t have. Many pests like cutworms that can harm garden plants and vegetables survive on eating weeds when vegetables aren’t available. Weed availability increases the presence of pests in your garden year-round, making it more likely that your lawn and plants will see pest damage in the spring and summer.

Weeds are incredibly resource-hungry and will choke out grass and other plants with their constant consumption of water. Even in their early stages of development, perennial and winter weeds can soak up hundreds of gallons of water in the soil. This deprives the soil of the hydration it needs to support grass and even trees, causing health issues with your lawn and other garden plants. Dry soil can cause a whole host of problems that extend far beyond brown patches in the lawn. When soil is dry, it’s far weaker against wind and rain erosion, making it fall apart and sweep away in a rainstorm. Weed control in the fall prevents pests and keeps your lawn more hydrated—it can also prevent the land from deteriorating.

Tackle Winter Weeds in the Fall

Weeds are a source of visible and invisible issues that can greatly harm your lawn and other plants, so prevention is critical. The fall is the best time to tackle weeds, so what are you waiting for? Call the experts at The Parke Company to see what we can do for your lawn this year.

Fertilize Your Lawn: 5 Essential Tips

July 29, 2025August 25, 2024 by The Parke Company

Your lawn needs to be cared for all year round to ensure that it’s healthy and at its best. Fertilizing is an excellent way to keep your grass lush and free of pests and disease, so let’s explore a few tips for doing it right.

Five Fertilizing Tips for a Healthier Lawn

1. What to Do Before Fertilizing

If you’re new to fertilizing or just want to make sure you’re approaching it correctly, it’s important to note that some preparation needs to be done first. Preparing your lawn for fertilizer ensures that it’s evenly and effectively fertilized, so you can avoid issues and have a uniformly green and lush lawn. Mow your lawn a few days before you plan to fertilize. This helps the fertilizer penetrate through the soil rather than getting stuck on the thick grass. Mowing is important to do when preparing for fertilizing each time.

Once a year, or the first time you fertilize, further preparation is necessary. After you’ve mowed, you need to prepare the soil and thatch layers for fertilizing. Dethatching and aerating your lawn ensures that the lawn fertilizer properly penetrates the soil and delivers nutrients to your grass. The process of dethatching removes the layer of dead grass and other organic material on your lawn. While a thin layer of thatch is helpful in providing nutrients and protecting the soil, too much can keep water and fertilizer from getting into the ground. Dethatching can be done with a common rake or specialized thatch rake, but the goal is simply to remove some thatch. Dig a small hole in your lawn to check the thickness of the thatch. If it exceeds ¾ of an inch, it’s time to dethatch the lawn. Once you’ve cleared the thatch from the lawn, the lawn can be aerated. Aeration pierces the soil with small spines that help fertilizer and water reach the roots of the grass. Dethatching and aerating the lawn is extra work that goes a long way to get your grass looking healthy, and it’s best to do it in the spring. If you’ve never done it before, you can do this at any time as long as the grass is growing, and you should plan to do it each spring.

2. Choosing Your Fertilizer Correctly

Fertilizer comes in many forms, so finding the right healthy lawn fertilizer might sound like a daunting prospect. From its physical form, like liquid or granular, to its ingredients, the options can quickly become overwhelming. Each type of fertilizer has different uses, and your lawn’s needs determine which is right for you. Many DIYers choose granular fertilizer for its ease of application, but it’s not as uniform as liquid. If you want to save money and effort on application, granular fertilizers are your best bet. Liquid fertilizers cover better but call for more equipment like a fogger, and they can make a big mess if you’re not careful. Each type of fertilizer for grass will have different uses, like pest and weed control, so take some time to figure out what your lawn needs. One of the key components of any fertilizer is nitrogen, an indispensable ingredient that helps lawns grow healthy and green. High-nitrogen fertilizers are best used on lawns that are older but need a quick boost in terms of color. If you’ve just planted grass, weed and feed fertilizers are better because they prevent weed development while encouraging new growth. Each type of fertilizer has its application, and with a little research, you can find the right product for your grass.

3. Properly Applying Fertilizer

All of the tips on fertilizing your lawn we’ve given you don’t matter if you don’t get the application right, and believe us, there’s a wrong way to fertilize a lawn. Fortunately, applying fertilizer on your lawn can be a breeze if you arm yourself with a bit of knowledge beforehand and get the proper equipment. Fertilizer can be applied by hand or equipment to simplify the job. Handheld dispensers are cheap and effective but will take longer and require more elbow grease to operate. Using a fogger is great, but it can splash on your clothes and home, so practice with it well away from things you don’t want to get fertilizer on. For granular fertilizer, using a pushed or pulled applicator can help spread fertilizer uniformly and is less work, especially if you pull a device with your lawnmower. Follow the manufacturer guidelines on your fertilizer and use the equipment that it indicates, and you’ll be off to a great start.

4. When to Fertilize

Now that you’re aware of how to apply fertilizer and what sort of fertilizer you need, what is the best schedule for lawn fertilization? Most grass in Tennessee is what’s referred to as cool-season grass—most commonly fescue. Cool-season grass should be fertilized in the fall. It’s best to fertilize after the summer but before the weather gets too cold. Cool-season grass grows quickest when temperatures are in the 60s and 70s, making the fall a great time to fertilize. This is because cool-season grass is somewhat dormant in the summer when it’s very hot. Fertilizing after summer and then once again in the spring before temperatures get too warm will help your lawn look lush, thick, and green all year.

5. When You Need Help

All of the lawn fertilizing tips we have for you are dependent on you learning a lot and working hard—but you don’t have to! You can benefit from a properly fertilized and well-groomed lawn without lifting a finger. At The Parke Company, we’ve been helping to maintain and improve Nashville lawns for decades, and we can help you keep your grass properly fertilized. Since you only need to fertilize twice a year, you can bundle that service along with more regular landscaping maintenance. If you aren’t one to go hands-on or you’re just struggling to keep up with your landscaping and everything else going on in your life, don’t worry! We have affordable plans for any budget and can even just perform aeration and fertilization services twice a year for your lawn if that’s all you need.

A well-fertilized lawn is a healthy lawn, and it can really enhance your home’s curb appeal. If you’re looking for some help fertilizing your lawn this year, why not reach out to The Parke Company for a free consultation and estimate for your lawn?