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Harvesting Thanksgiving Traditions in Nashville

March 7, 2024November 26, 2014 by The Parke Company

The Parke Company harvesting pumpkins for halloween

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. And we don’t know about you, but we’re already dreaming about what we will eat for Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey, stuffing, pie — the possibilities are limitless! And one great thing about having Thanksgiving in Nashville is the large amount of local produce available to make your dinner plate fantastic. We think it’s about time to bring that festive harvest to your own backyard. Here are a few reasons why you should consider growing your own produce:

Good for the environment

— Growing plants, vegetables and other crops on your property not only enhances the look of your yard, but it is also beneficial for the environment. While you can eat many of the crops for a Thanksgiving feast (or any feast, really), the non-edible plants are great for little Nashvillian critters to gobble up nutrients.

Cost effective and delicious

— What better way to cut the cost of your Thanksgiving feast than growing your own ingredients? Growing your own crops can reduce your spending on groceries all year long, and somehow, eating crops you grew yourself is much more delicious than buying them from the store.

A relaxing hobby

— So many people find enjoyment and relaxation in taking care of a garden. Want to have a prosperous garden or landscape but you’re not sure where to begin? The Parke Company doesn’t just cover tree services. They can help you get set up the right way with any landscaping, flower bed cleaning, mulching and more.

Thanksgiving is a great time of togetherness and being thankful for friends, family and other blessings. With the help of the Parke Company, you can celebrate Thanksgiving all year round with your garden, trees and landscape. It doesn’t matter if you do it for good of the environment, to save money or if you just love taking care of your garden. Celebrating nature’s gift of food is always fun! For more information on landscape design, mulching or tree services, call the Parke Company today to get started.

Why Leaves Change Colors and Other Musings

March 7, 2024November 3, 2014 by The Parke Company

The Parke Company trees with fall colored leaves

Leaves changing color is one of the best parts about fall. Nashville is a great town to watch the leaves turn vibrant shades of red, yellow, orange and brown, and eventually fall from their branches. With the help of chlorophyll (or lack of help, we should say), the leaves drastically change — and this year more than ever.

And thanks to many literary legends, we can enjoy the change of seasons in word form as well as looking outside our window. Inspired by fall, Robert Frost’s “Gathering Leaves” gets you right in the spirit of fall (if Vanderbilt football and pumpkin pies don’t work for you).

Read the poem below for some fall fun:

“Gathering Leaves” by Robert Frost

Spades take up leaves

No better than spoons,

And bags full of leaves

Are light as balloons.

I make a great noise

Of rustling all day

Like rabbit and deer

Running away.

But the mountains I raise

Elude my embrace,

Flowing over my arms

And into my face.

I may load and unload

Again and again

Till I fill the whole shed,

And what have I then?

Next to nothing for weight,

And since they grew duller

From contact with earth,

Next to nothing for color.

Next to nothing for use.

But a crop is a crop,

And who’s to say where

The harvest shall stop

The team at the Parke Company loves when the leaves change colors. (And so does Robert Frost!) What other poems, quotes or literary works gets you in the spirit for autumn?

Planting Bulbs: Preparing for Spring Time

March 7, 2024October 23, 2014 by The Parke Company

The Parke Company planting flowers for spring

We know, we know. We haven’t even gotten through half of fall yet, and we’re already talking about spring, but it’s really important to start prepping for the new season. (Yes, even now!) Aside from flower bed clean-up and leaf removal, an important service to consider is planting bulbs for the new year. In order for blooms to grow beautiful and prosperous in the spring, they need to be planted now.

Why do bulbs need to be planted now instead of closer to spring?

Flowers like daffodils or tulips require long periods of time (particularly in the cooler temperatures) to “hibernate” in order to grow and bloom in the spring.

When is best to plant the bulbs?

It is recommended to plant spring-flowering bulbs in the fall or early winter, but it’s advised to do so before the ground freezes.

What if I don’t know how to plant bulbs or need help preparing?

The Parke Company can help with that! Our landscape experts can make sure the job is done in plenty of time and exactly how you want it.

Take Cheekwood for example. Their Bulb Bonanza is hosted in preparation for their Cheekwood in Bloom event that happens in the spring. Though the Parke Company doesn’t not plant bulbs for Cheekwood, they can certainly prep any of your gardens, make sure your flower beds are clean and pick up all leaves on your property (in addition to any tree work) before winter settles in.

Though the leaves fall off trees and grass turns a bit yellow, nature doesn’t stop during the wintertime. Be sure you take care of your prepping and bulb planting with the Parke Company before it’s too late. And while you are at it, have them take care of any last minute details such as a pumpkin display or leaf and limb pick-up. Call them today to speak with a professional.

Emerald Ash Borer Coming to Davidson County

March 7, 2024October 15, 2014 by The Parke Company

The Parke Company planting an emerald ash borer tree

There is a new bug in town. First spotted in Michigan, the emerald ash borer has found its way through Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky, among other states. Originally from Asia, the ½ inch long bug with metallic green wings has come to America and eaten its way all the way down to Tennessee, and now Davidson County.

According to the USDA, an estimated 271 million green and white ash trees (approximately $11 billion worth) are in the state of Tennessee, which is the bug’s meal of choice. If the emerald ash borer becomes a serious problem in the state, it could be detrimental to the ash population in the area.

Early detection is very difficult because these pesky creatures will kill trees before we realize there is a problem. It can take anywhere from one to three years before a tree’s symptoms begin to show, and by then it is too late to treat. The larvae feed on the tissue in the trunk, blocking off water and nutrients, which eventually causes the leaves to wilt, limbs to fall off, and death. However, the adult borers leave distinct markings in the trunk as they exit the tree when they’re finished growing.

It is commonly believed that the spread of Emerald Ash Borers is caused by the transportation of firewood and unprocessed logs. The Parke Company has been working diligently to create preemptive measures for these possible infestations. While these measures are not always guaranteed, it’s the best bet in keeping beloved ash trees alive. Unsure you if you have an ash tree and you don’t want to take a chance? Call the Parke Company and they’ll help you identify the trees in your property as well as harmful elements, and guide you in any necessary precautions.

For more information or to inquire about tree care, call the Parke Company today.

If Trees Could Sing — Sharing the Love of Trees in TN

March 7, 2024October 1, 2014 by The Parke Company

As most people who follow the Parke Company and its work know, trees are an important part of our ecosystem in addition to beautiful scenery for people all year round. From the handsome, colorful red maple leaves in the fall to its beautiful dogwood blooms in the spring, trees are a source of beauty for many admirers. But a tree’s beauty isn’t its only quality. Limbs and leaves can provide shade for people on a sunny day; the nuts and fruit can provide nutrition for a variety of animals such as birds and squirrels.

In an effort to preserve the trees all through Nashville, the Nature Conservancy of Tennessee has partnered up with some of Tennessee’s most beloved singers to create If Trees Could Sing. This project is an 18-part web series that include singers discussing their favorite trees as well as the benefits for people and the world around us. Our favorite artists like Reba McIntyre, Will Hoge and Ben Folds talk about trees such as the Sycamore, Pin Oak, Sweetbay Magnolia and other Nashville natives.

But it’s not just the Nature Conservancy that’s aiming to raise awareness about trees. Just a couple of weeks ago, the conservancy partnered with Metro Parks to display signs all over Centennial Park that identify each tree and provide a web address to the Nature Conservancy of Tennessee website. Not only is this a great interactive tool for people to learn about the trees, but it’s also a great way to donate to the cause.

Preserving trees isn’t just about the ones out in forests and parks. It’s also about the ones right outside your door. What’s one way you can help preserve the trees that are in your backyard? Call the Parke Company. Tree disease and infestation can severely diminish trees all around the area, which is why early detection is crucial. The Parke Company can assist in tree care all year round and help detect any possible problems that might sprout. Regular tree care checkups can help you save time and money before they become out of control.

Want more information on If Trees Could Sing? Visit their website to learn more about some of your favorite Nashville local trees from some of your favorite artists. And if you have a tree in need, contact the Parke Company today to schedule your consultation.