In today’s society, people are used to things happening instantaneously, and they expect everything to happen at a fairly fast pace. However, when dealing with things like trees, there is no rushing mother nature and the natural growth process. If you are wanting your yard to instantly look the exact way you want it; lush and full, you might not be willing to wait and make your decisions based on what can grow the fastest in order to get your desired look of the end result. If you do this, you can potentially be selling yourself short on all the beautiful trees that are slower-growing. There are both pros and cons to slow-growing and fast-growing trees. We here at Five Star Tree Services would like to offer to take a look at the different growth rates of trees and help you understand what is best for your yard. Tree Growth Rate Calculation Tree growth rate can generally be calculated in a few different ways. Continuously measure the stem diameter, crown spread, and height over time. Measure the elongation of shoots annually. You can do this by finding the bud scars on the branch tips and measuring between them. Average growth rate can be calculated by taking the change in size and dividing it by the elapsed time to date. Fast Growing VS Moderate and Slow Growing- How to Choose? There are different factors that go into why people choose certain trees, this could be due to wanting a quick privacy fence, or because of the colours, or their flowers, or the amount of shade they offer. There are advantages and disadvantages you need to think about before you go and only plant fast-growing trees. Slow Growing Trees Slow Tree Growth Rate- 12 inches or less every year. These trees end up being stronger than other trees for overall structure and strength. Since they are slow growing, these trees can end up living for more than 100 years, given the right growing conditions. You will also find that they can resist/have better defenses against things like disease and insects, as well as having stronger wood. Some examples are White Oak and Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir. Moderate Growing Trees Moderate Tree Growth Rate-13 – 24 inches every year. These trees usually have very similar traits to slow growing trees. Some examples are Sugar Maple, Coast Douglas Fir, and American Sweetgum. Fast Growing Trees Fast Tree Growth Rate- 25 inches or more every year. These trees do not typically live as long as the other trees due to them being weaker from growing so fast. An example is the Arborvitae “Green Giant”. Reasons To Avoid Fast-Growing Trees The unfortunate truth about these kinds of trees is that they tend to get more diseases and root rot than the other trees. Which brings us back to the point where you shouldn’t only buy a tree because it grows fast, especially since they have shorter life spans. It is always a good idea to have a balance of plant life in your yard. Too much of one thing will throw off the balance, you don’t want all fast-growing trees simply because you wish to fill out your yard. This will only set you up for failure down the road. Not to mention you will need to spend more money on replacing them when they die sooner, as opposed to long living trees. How Five Star Tree Service Can Help Picking the right trees for your yard can take time. Balance is always good and even if you want everything to look perfect right away, you can’t sustain this if all you use are fast-growing trees. Let our team at Five Star Tree Service help you pick the best trees for your property! Our experts can offer you all the Toronto Tree Care you will need. Give us a call today at (416) 990-3355!

20 Fabulous Pool Designs Under 600 sq feet of Water Surface Area Custom pools are a much-desired amenity in Southern Nevada, however in accordance with the 2022 water use ordinance, new residential pools may NOT exceed 600 sq ft of water surface area. The square footage includes a total of the pool, spa, and any infinity-edge troughs where applicable. And, there is also a ban on independent water features. Paragon Pools’ VP & Chief Design Executive Joseph A Vassallo, CBP provides 20 pool designs under 600sq ft as an inspiration for homeowners. Excerpt from the SNWA website: Residential pool size limits Ongoing drought and climate change conditions continue to affect water levels in Lake Mead – Southern Nevada's primary water supply. As a result, the federal government declared a shortage on the Colorado River, reducing Southern Nevada's available water supply by 8.1 billion gallons, and additional reductions are expected in the coming years. To help manage these water supply constraints, the Southern Nevada Water Authority approved a resolution in July 2022 that supports a 600-square-foot surface area limit on new residential pools. The Las Vegas Valley Water District and other local jurisdictions approved this change shortly thereafter with rule and code changes. This measure will help reduce consumptive water use associated with evaporative water loss, targeting savings from the top 25 percent of new pools constructed.

20 Fabulous Pool Designs Under 600 sq feet of Water Surface Area Custom pools are a much-desired amenity in Southern Nevada, however in accordance with the 2022 water use ordinance, new residential pools may NOT exceed 600 sq ft of water surface area. The square footage includes a total of the pool, spa, and any infinity-edge troughs where applicable. And, there is also a ban on independent water features. Paragon Pools’ VP & Chief Design Executive Joseph A Vassallo, CBP provides 20 pool designs under 600sq ft as an inspiration for homeowners. Excerpt from the SNWA website: Residential pool size limits Ongoing drought and climate change conditions continue to affect water levels in Lake Mead – Southern Nevada's primary water supply. As a result, the federal government declared a shortage on the Colorado River, reducing Southern Nevada's available water supply by 8.1 billion gallons, and additional reductions are expected in the coming years. To help manage these water supply constraints, the Southern Nevada Water Authority approved a resolution in July 2022 that supports a 600-square-foot surface area limit on new residential pools. The Las Vegas Valley Water District and other local jurisdictions approved this change shortly thereafter with rule and code changes. This measure will help reduce consumptive water use associated with evaporative water loss, targeting savings from the top 25 percent of new pools constructed.

Request Free Quote This rectangular pool in Park Ridge, IL measures 16’0” x 32’0” with water depths ranging from 3’6” to 5’0”. The hot tub situated inside the pool measures 6’0” x 8’0”. Adjacent to the hot tub is a tanning ledge measuring 4’6” x 7’0”. Both the pool and hot tub feature LED color changing lights. The pool is surrounded by 4 LED laminar flow jet water features. There are also two Grand Effects 31” Essex series automated fire/water combination features set upon stone columns. The pool and hot tub are covered by an automatic hydraulic pool cover with a custom stone walk-on lid system. Both the pool and hot tub are finished with Wet Edge Primera Stone interior finishes. The pool coping is Valders Limestone. The pool features deco style perimeter waterline tiles as well as diamond accent tiles on the steps and benches. Photography by e3.

This large freeform pool in Barrington Hills, IL features a perimeter overflow edge. Measuring approximately 1950 square feet, the pool features custom blended glass tile in the pool, steps, wall, sun shelf and hot tub. The pool floor is an exposed aggregate from Wet Edge featuring pebbles, quartz and glass beads. The hot tub measures approximately 100 square feet, and is completely covered with the glass tile. The sunshelf measures approximately 375 square feet, and is also adorned with the same iridescent and black glass tile mix. The decking and pool coping is cut form Blue Marble. The pool has color changing LED lights as well as three LED lit bubbler water features. The outdoor living space features an outdoor kitchen and bar with two refrigerators, a sink, grill, and serving areas. The custom oversized fireplace possesses an 85" large screen, full-sun HDTV. On the raised patio opposite the house, there is a gas firepit with flagstone patio. Crowning the sun shelf area are two gas fire bowls. Photos by e3 Photography.

Request Free Quote This rectangular pool in Park Ridge, IL measures 16’0” x 32’0” with water depths ranging from 3’6” to 5’0”. The hot tub situated inside the pool measures 6’0” x 8’0”. Adjacent to the hot tub is a tanning ledge measuring 4’6” x 7’0”. Both the pool and hot tub feature LED color changing lights. The pool is surrounded by 4 LED laminar flow jet water features. There are also two Grand Effects 31” Essex series automated fire/water combination features set upon stone columns. The pool and hot tub are covered by an automatic hydraulic pool cover with a custom stone walk-on lid system. Both the pool and hot tub are finished with Wet Edge Primera Stone interior finishes. The pool coping is Valders Limestone. The pool features deco style perimeter waterline tiles as well as diamond accent tiles on the steps and benches. Photography by e3.

Request Free Quote This rectilinear pool in Highland Park, IL measures 20 '0 `` x 40’0” with a depth ranging from 3’6” to 6' 0". The interior hot tub measures 8’0” x 8’0”. Adjacent to the hot tub is a top step sunshelf measuring 6’0” x 20’0”. The pool also features a 6’0” deep end bench. Both the pool and hot tub feature LED color changing lights. The coping on the pool as well as the hot tub is Bluestone, and the pool finish is Ceramaquartz exposed aggregate. Photography by e3.

Request Free Quote This rectangular pool in Park Ridge, IL measures 16’0” x 32’0” with water depths ranging from 3’6” to 5’0”. The hot tub situated inside the pool measures 6’0” x 8’0”. Adjacent to the hot tub is a tanning ledge measuring 4’6” x 7’0”. Both the pool and hot tub feature LED color changing lights. The pool is surrounded by 4 LED laminar flow jet water features. There are also two Grand Effects 31” Essex series automated fire/water combination features set upon stone columns. The pool and hot tub are covered by an automatic hydraulic pool cover with a custom stone walk-on lid system. Both the pool and hot tub are finished with Wet Edge Primera Stone interior finishes. The pool coping is Valders Limestone. The pool features deco style perimeter waterline tiles as well as diamond accent tiles on the steps and benches. Photography by e3.

Request Free Quote This rectangular pool in Park Ridge, IL measures 16’0” x 32’0” with water depths ranging from 3’6” to 5’0”. The hot tub situated inside the pool measures 6’0” x 8’0”. Adjacent to the hot tub is a tanning ledge measuring 4’6” x 7’0”. Both the pool and hot tub feature LED color changing lights. The pool is surrounded by 4 LED laminar flow jet water features. There are also two Grand Effects 31” Essex series automated fire/water combination features set upon stone columns. The pool and hot tub are covered by an automatic hydraulic pool cover with a custom stone walk-on lid system. Both the pool and hot tub are finished with Wet Edge Primera Stone interior finishes. The pool coping is Valders Limestone. The pool features deco style perimeter waterline tiles as well as diamond accent tiles on the steps and benches. Photography by e3.

Request Free Quote This rectangular pool in Park Ridge, IL measures 16’0” x 32’0” with water depths ranging from 3’6” to 5’0”. The hot tub situated inside the pool measures 6’0” x 8’0”. Adjacent to the hot tub is a tanning ledge measuring 4’6” x 7’0”. Both the pool and hot tub feature LED color changing lights. The pool is surrounded by 4 LED laminar flow jet water features. There are also two Grand Effects 31” Essex series automated fire/water combination features set upon stone columns. The pool and hot tub are covered by an automatic hydraulic pool cover with a custom stone walk-on lid system. Both the pool and hot tub are finished with Wet Edge Primera Stone interior finishes. The pool coping is Valders Limestone. The pool features deco style perimeter waterline tiles as well as diamond accent tiles on the steps and benches. Photography by e3.

Request Free Quote This rectangular pool in Park Ridge, IL measures 16’0” x 32’0” with water depths ranging from 3’6” to 5’0”. The hot tub situated inside the pool measures 6’0” x 8’0”. Adjacent to the hot tub is a tanning ledge measuring 4’6” x 7’0”. Both the pool and hot tub feature LED color changing lights. The pool is surrounded by 4 LED laminar flow jet water features. There are also two Grand Effects 31” Essex series automated fire/water combination features set upon stone columns. The pool and hot tub are covered by an automatic hydraulic pool cover with a custom stone walk-on lid system. Both the pool and hot tub are finished with Wet Edge Primera Stone interior finishes. The pool coping is Valders Limestone. The pool features deco style perimeter waterline tiles as well as diamond accent tiles on the steps and benches. Photography by e3.

Request Free Quote This rectangular pool in Park Ridge, IL measures 16’0” x 32’0” with water depths ranging from 3’6” to 5’0”. The hot tub situated inside the pool measures 6’0” x 8’0”. Adjacent to the hot tub is a tanning ledge measuring 4’6” x 7’0”. Both the pool and hot tub feature LED color changing lights. The pool is surrounded by 4 LED laminar flow jet water features. There are also two Grand Effects 31” Essex series automated fire/water combination features set upon stone columns. The pool and hot tub are covered by an automatic hydraulic pool cover with a custom stone walk-on lid system. Both the pool and hot tub are finished with Wet Edge Primera Stone interior finishes. The pool coping is Valders Limestone. The pool features deco style perimeter waterline tiles as well as diamond accent tiles on the steps and benches. Photography by e3.

This large freeform pool in Barrington Hills, IL features a perimeter overflow edge. Measuring approximately 1950 square feet, the pool features custom blended glass tile in the pool, steps, wall, sun shelf and hot tub. The pool floor is an exposed aggregate from Wet Edge featuring pebbles, quartz and glass beads. The hot tub measures approximately 100 square feet, and is completely covered with the glass tile. The sunshelf measures approximately 375 square feet, and is also adorned with the same iridescent and black glass tile mix. The decking and pool coping is cut form Blue Marble. The pool has color changing LED lights as well as three LED lit bubbler water features. The outdoor living space features an outdoor kitchen and bar with two refrigerators, a sink, grill, and serving areas. The custom oversized fireplace possesses an 85" large screen, full-sun HDTV. On the raised patio opposite the house, there is a gas firepit with flagstone patio. Crowning the sun shelf area are two gas fire bowls. Photos by e3 Photography.

Request Free Quote This rectangular pool in Park Ridge, IL measures 16’0” x 32’0” with water depths ranging from 3’6” to 5’0”. The hot tub situated inside the pool measures 6’0” x 8’0”. Adjacent to the hot tub is a tanning ledge measuring 4’6” x 7’0”. Both the pool and hot tub feature LED color changing lights. The pool is surrounded by 4 LED laminar flow jet water features. There are also two Grand Effects 31” Essex series automated fire/water combination features set upon stone columns. The pool and hot tub are covered by an automatic hydraulic pool cover with a custom stone walk-on lid system. Both the pool and hot tub are finished with Wet Edge Primera Stone interior finishes. The pool coping is Valders Limestone. The pool features deco style perimeter waterline tiles as well as diamond accent tiles on the steps and benches. Photography by e3.

Request Free Quote This rectilinear pool in Highland Park, IL measures 20 '0 `` x 40’0” with a depth ranging from 3’6” to 6' 0". The interior hot tub measures 8’0” x 8’0”. Adjacent to the hot tub is a top step sunshelf measuring 6’0” x 20’0”. The pool also features a 6’0” deep end bench. Both the pool and hot tub feature LED color changing lights. The coping on the pool as well as the hot tub is Bluestone, and the pool finish is Ceramaquartz exposed aggregate. Photography by e3.

Request Free Quote This rectangular pool in Park Ridge, IL measures 16’0” x 32’0” with water depths ranging from 3’6” to 5’0”. The hot tub situated inside the pool measures 6’0” x 8’0”. Adjacent to the hot tub is a tanning ledge measuring 4’6” x 7’0”. Both the pool and hot tub feature LED color changing lights. The pool is surrounded by 4 LED laminar flow jet water features. There are also two Grand Effects 31” Essex series automated fire/water combination features set upon stone columns. The pool and hot tub are covered by an automatic hydraulic pool cover with a custom stone walk-on lid system. Both the pool and hot tub are finished with Wet Edge Primera Stone interior finishes. The pool coping is Valders Limestone. The pool features deco style perimeter waterline tiles as well as diamond accent tiles on the steps and benches. Photography by e3.

Request Free Quote This rectangular pool in Park Ridge, IL measures 16’0” x 32’0” with water depths ranging from 3’6” to 5’0”. The hot tub situated inside the pool measures 6’0” x 8’0”. Adjacent to the hot tub is a tanning ledge measuring 4’6” x 7’0”. Both the pool and hot tub feature LED color changing lights. The pool is surrounded by 4 LED laminar flow jet water features. There are also two Grand Effects 31” Essex series automated fire/water combination features set upon stone columns. The pool and hot tub are covered by an automatic hydraulic pool cover with a custom stone walk-on lid system. Both the pool and hot tub are finished with Wet Edge Primera Stone interior finishes. The pool coping is Valders Limestone. The pool features deco style perimeter waterline tiles as well as diamond accent tiles on the steps and benches. Photography by e3.

This large freeform pool in Barrington Hills, IL features a perimeter overflow edge. Measuring approximately 1950 square feet, the pool features custom blended glass tile in the pool, steps, wall, sun shelf and hot tub. The pool floor is an exposed aggregate from Wet Edge featuring pebbles, quartz and glass beads. The hot tub measures approximately 100 square feet, and is completely covered with the glass tile. The sunshelf measures approximately 375 square feet, and is also adorned with the same iridescent and black glass tile mix. The decking and pool coping is cut form Blue Marble. The pool has color changing LED lights as well as three LED lit bubbler water features. The outdoor living space features an outdoor kitchen and bar with two refrigerators, a sink, grill, and serving areas. The custom oversized fireplace possesses an 85" large screen, full-sun HDTV. On the raised patio opposite the house, there is a gas firepit with flagstone patio. Crowning the sun shelf area are two gas fire bowls. Photos by e3 Photography.

The End of the Ultra-Slim Wedding Suit For several years, men’s formalwear was dominated by narrow lapels, short jackets and trousers cut close to the leg. The style created a sharp outline, but it often left little room for sitting, dancing or eating comfortably. Current tailoring is moving towards a more balanced shape, with cleaner shoulders, a defined waist and trousers that follow the leg without gripping it.This change does not mean that wedding suits have become oversized. The newer approach sits between skinny and loose. It keeps the structure expected of formal clothing while allowing the cloth to hang properly. For grooms, that balance is useful during a day that may involve a ceremony, photographs, dinner and several hours on the dance floor. Look For Shape Rather Than Tightness A well-fitted suit should create a clear outline without relying on tension. Collections of Marc Darcy suits include tailored three-piece designs, checks and textured fabrics that suit the current preference for visible structure and considered proportions. The jacket should sit close enough to define the waist, but the front button should fasten without pulling the cloth into an X-shaped crease. At the shoulders, the seam should finish close to the natural shoulder point. Extra width can make the jacket look borrowed, while a shoulder that is too narrow may cause the upper sleeve to collapse. Fit should be assessed while moving as well as standing. Reach forward, sit down and raise both arms. A tailored jacket will never feel like casual sportswear, but it should allow the groom to carry out ordinary movements without sharp restriction across the back or chest. Give The Jacket Enough Length Very short suit jackets became common alongside skinny trousers, but they can disrupt the proportions of a three-piece outfit. If the jacket finishes too high, the waistcoat may appear longer than the outer layer and the trousers may look as though they begin too low. A more traditional jacket length usually covers most of the seat and divides the body more evenly. This can make the legs appear longer without shortening the jacket excessively. The correct length depends on height and body proportions, so two men wearing the same chest size may still need different jacket lengths. View the suit from the back and side rather than relying on a front-facing mirror. The vents should lie flat, and the hem should not lift away from the body. A side photograph can reveal an unbalanced jacket more clearly than the changing-room mirror. Choose Trousers That Fall Cleanly The move away from very tight tailoring is most noticeable in suit trousers. A modern tailored leg can still be neat at the ankle, but it should provide enough room through the seat and thigh for the fabric to fall without horizontal lines. Trouser pockets offer a useful fit check. If they pull open while standing, the waist or hips may be too tight. The fly should lie flat, and the waistband should remain in place without depending on an overtightened belt. Higher-rise trousers can work particularly well with a waistcoat because they reduce the chance of shirt fabric appearing between the two pieces. The hem should make gentle contact with the shoe rather than gathering heavily around it. A short hem can work with narrow trousers but taking it too far may make the suit look dated once the current cropped style moves on. A slight break is easier to wear with different formal shoes and tends to look balanced in full-length wedding photographs. Let The Waistcoat Support the Silhouette A waistcoat adds structure through the centre of the outfit, but only when it fits correctly. It should lie flat against the shirt and cover the trouser waistband. Tightening the back strap cannot correct a waistcoat that is the wrong size or too short. Current three-piece styling often places greater emphasis on the waistcoat. Double-breasted designs, contrasting fabrics and wider openings can distinguish the groom without requiring a brightly coloured jacket. When the groom removes the jacket later, the waistcoat keeps the outfit looking complete. Allow room for a full meal and several hours of wear. A waistcoat that feels acceptably close during a brief fitting may become uncomfortable at dinner. Sit down with every button fastened and check whether the lower edge presses into the waist or causes the front to bow. Use Stronger Lapels Carefully Wider notch and peak lapels are returning after years of extremely narrow designs. A broader lapel can frame the shirt and tie, balance the shoulders and give the jacket a more formal character. Peak lapels create a particularly strong line on double-breasted jackets and evening suits. The lapel width should still suit the wearer. A very broad lapel can overwhelm a smaller frame, while an extremely narrow one may look out of proportion on a broad chest. The shirt collar, tie width and lapel should relate to one another without matching exactly. A wider lapel also leaves less need for decorative extras. A simple buttonhole flower or plain pocket square may be enough. Large lapel pins can crowd the upper part of the jacket, especially when the cloth already contains a check. Avoid Buying According to the Size Label Alone The same labelled size can fit differently across designs because cut, fabric and construction affect the garment. Begin with accurate chest, waist, inside-leg and approximate jacket-length measurements. Compare those figures with the retailer’s size information rather than ordering the size worn in another brand without checking. If the jacket fits at the shoulders but needs slight shaping through the waist, a tailor can often make the adjustment. Sleeves and trouser hems are also commonly altered. Major changes to the shoulder line or jacket length are more difficult and may not be economical. Do not choose the smallest size that can be fastened. A suit that looks tight in the fitting room is unlikely to become more comfortable during a long wedding day. Cloth should skim the body and return to a clean position after movement. Balance a checked suit with simple styling Texture and checks remain popular in wedding tailoring, particularly for country houses, converted barns and traditional venues. These fabrics already add depth to the outfit, so the cut should remain controlled and the accessories relatively quiet. A plain white, pale blue or cream shirt gives a checked suit a clear foundation. Choose a tie from one of the secondary colours in the cloth rather than introducing another strong pattern. A white pocket square works when the suit contains several shades and does not need further decoration. Shoes should support the proportions of the trousers. A very slim shoe may appear too small beneath a fuller hem, while a heavy casual sole can pull attention away from the tailoring. Oxfords, Derbies and refined brogues usually provide enough visual weight without looking bulky. Coordinate the wedding party without forcing one fit Matching groomsmen suits can become difficult when every member of the party has a different build. Insisting on an identical close fit may leave some men comfortable and others visibly restricted. A better approach is to keep the cloth, colour and main design consistent while adjusting jacket and trouser sizes for each person. The groom can stand apart through a waistcoat, lapel shape or accessory rather than wearing a suit cut much tighter than everyone else. This creates a connection across the group without treating one silhouette as suitable for every body. Arrange fittings early enough to identify size and alteration issues. Group orders should be checked well before the wedding, particularly when trousers need hemming or jackets require sleeve adjustments. Each person should try the complete outfit with the intended shirt and shoes. Judge the suit by the whole day A wedding fitting often lasts less than half an hour, while the suit may be worn for twelve hours or more. Comfort should therefore be tested under realistic conditions. Sit for several minutes, walk upstairs and check the waistband after moving around. Pay attention to the parts that cannot be seen clearly in a mirror. The collar should remain close to the shirt at the back of the neck. Jacket vents should not pull apart, and the trouser seat should follow the body without sagging or strain. The current move towards balanced tailoring gives grooms more room to choose clothes that look formal without feeling restrictive. Clean shoulders, a shaped jacket and trousers with a natural fall will outlast extreme proportions. A suit that allows the groom to stand, sit and celebrate comfortably is also more likely to look composed in photographs taken throughout the day.