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Punxsutawney Phil Predicts an Early Spring: Get Your Landscape Services Booked Now!

September 30, 2026September 15, 2020 by The Parke Company

Often thought of as a silly tradition by many, Groundhog’s Day is a fun-filled ceremony that gives people hope for a short winter and much warmer months to come. Luckily, this year, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, which means spring is rapidly approaching. And yes, it still is only the beginning of February, but we can’t help but get excited for the spring months. So what does that mean for your landscape?

It’s important to be prepared, and this is especially true in light of Phil’s predictions. We need to be prepping for spring, and it’s never too early to start.

There are many things Parke’s landscape team can assist you with in order to prepare for the spring weather. This will ensure you have a beautiful property throughout the spring and summer.

Spring Landscaping Services

Landscape cleanup

Have a messy flower garden full of leaves and branches? How is your yard? Are there patches of yellow or dead grass around your property? If so, landscape cleanup is a must. This is especially important after all those cold months when your trees and flowers hibernate. The team will clean up your landscape, which includes weeding, leaf pick-up, and other clean-up issues that might arise. They can also discuss your options for irrigation systems if your lawn needs it for the summer.

Mulching and chipping

You remember all those leaves you picked up during the fall? Now you can use them for mulching! To help those beautiful plants grow and improve the overall look of your landscape, mulching is a key factor. Parke also provides chipping services in addition to mulching. Your chipping materials often come from old trees so that your landscape contains nothing but the best recyclable materials.

Landscape build/design

If you just purchased a home or commercial space, or you just need a change, the landscape team at Parke can assist you in designing and building a beautiful new landscape. This time of year is a great opportunity to start mapping out those plans for a brand new landscape full of plants and trees, making your house look like a home. The sky’s the limit and Parke’s expertise will aid you in the right direction that both suits your taste and your budget.

We know it might sound a little early to be thinking about spring, but it’s important to be prepared. Nashville weather is fickle and Nashvillians could be thrown into the spring season at any moment. Be sure your landscape and trees are ready to blossom. And just like it could easily be warm tomorrow, late freezes are a real threat in Middle Tennessee. Talk with a Parke representative to discuss the best protocol for protecting your plants from those late freezes. Interested in learning more about Parke’s landscape services (like irrigation, landscape design or mulching)? Contact a team member today and get your name in the books. It’s never too early to think about spring!

Parke Sponsors Cheekwood Exhibit with Steve Tobin: Southern Roots

September 30, 2026September 15, 2020 by The Parke Company

Cheekwood is one of Nashville’s many landmarks filled with nature, art, food, music and southern hospitality. And though Nashville is often mentioned for its delicious food from places like the Pharmacy, Hattie B’s or Noshville, nature is often a great asset to the area. And it’s no wonder that the Parke Company is sponsoring another one of Cheekwood’s long-awaited events. Like last year, the exhibit will be located in Cheekwood’s garden and indoor galleries. But unlike last year, the exhibit will be featuring the work of Steve Tobin. Inspired by the natural form of trees, Tobin’s work will be celebrated in conjunction with National Arbor Day and Nashville Arbor Day. And given the subject matter, it was a no-brainer for the arborists at Parke to sign up.

“Continuing Cheekwood’s mission to showcase world-class art in the gardens, Steve Tobin: Southern Roots will give visitors the opportunity to experience the relationship between art and nature through a new lens,” according to Cheekwod. The large exhibit will also will include one of Tobin’s sculptures in downtown Nashville’s Riverview Gardens at Riverfront Park.

The outdoor exhibition begins on February 20th and will run through September 4th. Outdoor sculptures will cover several different areas of the West Gardens. There will also be an indoor exhibit of Tobin’s work featuring a series never before seen in a gallery. Using wood from fallen trees in Costa Rica, this is a great exhibit for any arborist or tree lover around Nashville. The indoor exhibit will only be showcased until May 24th.

To kick off the exhibit the artist himself will host a lecture at Cheekwood to discuss his exhibit and nature as his artistic influence. The lecture begins at 2:00 p.m. and is free for members or with admission.

The Parke Company always finds ways to stay involved in the Nashville community, and this is just one great way they do. You might remember last year’s exhibit by Charles Brindley the Parke worked with. Come on out and see what Parke’s arborists have been a part of lately. Enjoy the landscape and vast botanical gardens of this Nashville treasure.

Like what you see and want to incorporate it into your own landscape? The Parke Company’s arborists can help you with tree care, landscape and any flowerbed gardens that you might need. They also offer landscape design and building services if the new exhibit inspires you to redesign. Call them today!

Be Prepared: Tips for Emergency Preparedness with the Parke Company

September 30, 2026September 15, 2020 by The Parke Company

Severe weather plagues many states all around America, especially here in Tennessee. All types of severe weather can be an issue, but storms are most common this time of year. Tornadoes, thunderstorms and flash floods are all elements that can cause detrimental damage. That’s why it’s important to be informed and properly prepared for any possible severe storm that might enter the Middle Tennessee area. Bad weather patterns can change and arrive unexpectedly.

Of course, there are many great tips to consider and implement in your daily life when it comes to severe storms. From ensuring your trees are sturdy to keeping an emergency kit on hand, there are many ways to be prepared for a storm near your home.

Here are a handful of tips to keep in mind for this severe weather season:

Develop a disaster plan with family. This is a crucial step in avoiding panic and anxiety in an already high-stress situation. Discuss a safety plan with your immediate family members in case you are separated in the event of a storm. Decide on safe meeting spots and plan on asking extended family members/friends where you might stay if you can’t get home. Also, be sure to discuss viable options and safety measures if you or a family member is stranded on a roadway.
Check weather daily. Storms can pop up out of nowhere so it’s important to always have an eye on the storm. If one does approach, check local news (e.g. WSMV and WKRN) for updates.
Check trees for stability. This is a major service that is often overlooked. If your trees do not receive routine tree service care, there’s a real threat of fallen limbs and the collapse of entire trees. Fallen trees can cause major destruction including damage to property as well as roadblocks if they land in the middle of roadways. The Parke Company’s team of arborists can come out and check your trees and landscape to make sure they’re healthy and sturdy.
Prepare an emergency preparedness kit. Keep one in your house and in your car. Having an emergency preparedness kit handy is great in case you’re stranded in areas for an extended period of time due to a storm or a fallen tree in the road. Fill the kit with blankets, water, non-perishable food and other items you might deem necessary.
Keep the Parke Company number and other emergency service numbers handy. Have a list of all your emergency contacts on hand. The Parke Company is an important number to have on that list in case a tree does fall and an arborist is needed. In case you forget, our number is listed at the very top of our site and if pressed on a mobile device will immediately call our company. Be sure to also have other important local numbers in case something goes wrong. Examples include Nashville Electric Service (NES) and Metro Water Services.

The Middle Tennessee area can get a lot of finicky weather so it’s important to stay prepared. The spring is especially true for dramatic changes in temperature. A late freeze can arrive one morning; a severe tornado and thunderstorm watch the next. Your landscape and trees usually take the brunt of this unpredictable season.

If your trees need a health check-up, call the arborists at Parke. If your landscape floods and you need repair work, the landscape crew at Parke can help with that. Parke has a variety of services available at your disposal, so be sure to take advantage. For emergency tree care services, contact Parke immediately for assistance.

The Benefits of Hiring a Professional for Lawn Care and Tree Services

September 30, 2026September 15, 2020 by The Parke Company

The Parke Company team preparing for a storm

The benefits of do-it-yourself projects are endless. DIY weddings, home renovations and crafts are just a few areas where people can do things themselves in a cost-efficient, customized manner. But there are some things that just shouldn’t be done yourself. Whether it’s because it should be done safely, quickly or skillfully, there are some things that make hiring a professional totally worth it.

Does that same rule apply to tree care and lawn care services? Though a lot of people enjoy cutting their lawns or landscaping, not everyone has the time or the green thumb to do so. And then of course, you have the safety components of tree care and landscape. Certain services (like tree removal and irrigation services) are best done by a professional arborist or lawn care expert.

Here are three great reasons for hiring a professional for your lawn care and trees:

Done in a timely manner. Have you ever started a project and it turned out to be a lot more daunting than you realized? Or perhaps the project ends up taking a lot more time than you anticipated? Rest assured that when you hire professionals like those at the Parke Company, the job will get done in a timely manner with little or no interruption in your daily routine. The arborists and landscape teams understand the importance of timeliness. They make sure each job is done efficiently without causing too much disruption to your trees and landscape.
Done right. There are certain jobs within tree care and lawn care that can be completed by you; mowing a lawn or raking the leaves, for example (though you don’t have to if you don’t want to). But some services can be complicated and require a little expertise. Parke’s certified arborist and lawn care teams have years of training in tree care, irrigation and landscape design. Hiring Parke, you can feel confident that the job is done right the first time.
Done with safety in mind. Safety is a huge factor when it comes to trees and landscape work. If you have a maintenance issue with your trees, contact a certified arborist. An arborist knows how to properly treat the tree without causing damage to the tree. The Parke Company’s arborists are trained with strict safety precautions in mind, so there’s no need to put yourself at risk if the tree needs to be removed or treated. Put your mind at ease and let the professional take care of it.
Done for convenience. Sometimes, it all comes down to convenience. You’re a busy person and the Parke team understands. Don’t let the necessary maintenance of trees and landscape overwhelm you. Call the professionals and they’ll take care of it.

If you own a home or run a commercial space in the Nashville area, chances are you have a landscape and trees to care for. Don’t worry about adding one more project to your list, call the professionals to take care of it for you. The benefits are well worth it. For more information about tree care and landscape services, contact a Parke Company representative today.

Severe Weather and How it Affects Your Trees and Landscape

September 30, 2026September 15, 2020 by The Parke Company

Fallen tree on a power line in Nashville

“April showers bring May flowers.” And as the saying goes, it’s already been a wild April full of severe storms and crazy weather. That’s Nashville for you. And since it’s that time of year, all kinds of severe weather can play a part in damaging your trees and landscape.

We are always telling clients to be mindful of their trees and landscape for any possible damage during severe weather and what needs to happen when a storm approaches, especially this time of year. Yes, trees and landscape are resilient, but tree care and other preventive measures should always be taken to avoid it, along with avoiding a major headache and unnecessary cost.

However, Mother Nature doesn’t usually give us a damage report until after she’s blown through Music City. So the best thing you can do for your trees and landscape is be prepared when storms come.

Below are three different types of severe weather Nashville can experience this season and some measures for each instance:

How Severe Weather Impacts Landscape

Lightning

Trees that are isolated or located on high terrain are even more susceptible to strikes. While we recommend protecting all trees, older and historic trees should have priority. Install protective devices for these more susceptible trees to keep lightning away and decrease the likelihood of damage. This is especially important if trees are near your home or business. Just remember, the lightning devices are complicated and should not be installed without the help of one of Parke’s certified arborists.

Tornado

If your tree is not strong enough, it may not hold up to strong winds, let alone a tornado. Have our arborists come out and check the stability of the tree in question. If you have your landscape already cultivated and ready for the season, take precautions for this as well. Bring in potted plants or other plants that can be easily transplanted. When the storm is over, clean up and assess the damage. If strong winds or a tornado did enough damage, it might be best to call our team at Parke. They’ll be able to address all your issues quickly and efficiently.

Flash flood

Floods, especially in Nashville, are nothing to joke about. We learned that during the Nashville flood in 2010. Similar to the tornados and lightning, try to be as prepared as possible in the case of flooding. Bring in potted plants or other vulnerable plants that might not make it through the storm. Contact Parke for your irrigation systems as well.

Mother Nature can be fickle. If any of these scary and unpredictable weather issues come through without much warning, do the best you can. After the storms are over, the Parke Company can come out and assess any damage and how to treat it. This might include a tree struck by lightning, a damaged irrigation system or flooded landscape and flower beds. If the damage is an emergency, you can contact our emergency team for immediate assistance. The arborist’s emergency services include downed trees over power lines, roadways or homes.

Whether it’s preemptive, an emergency service or damage repair, our arborists at the Parke Company are readily available to discuss tree care options. Need landscape or lawn services? The Parke Company is available for that too! Call today.