This Berkeley property had overgrown vines, concaving fences, rotted deck, dead lawn, broken concrete, and poor drainage. After removing about 30 yards of soil from this lot, we were able to begin leveling and sculpting the landscape. We installed new concrete pathways, synthetic lawn, custom swing and arbor, Thermory wood decking with metal railings, paver patio with masonry stone wall seating, and stone mosaic water feature with stainless steel wire to match. Many elements tied together nicely in this modern Berkeley backyard.

MEDITERRANEAN, TRADITIONAL, CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, MALIBU, CALABASAS, SANTA MONICA, THOUSAND OAKS, SHERMAN OAKS, WEST HILLS, PACIFIC PALISADES, NORTH RANCH, AGOURA, AGOURA HILLS, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, SUCCULENTS, ECLECTIC, OAK PARK, DECOMPOSED GRANITE, AUSTRALIAN PLANTS, CALIFORNIA NATIVE, CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS, SUSTAINABLE, RAIN CAPTURE, SOIL HEALTH, RUSTIC, ENGLISH GARDEN, DROUGHT TOLERANT, DROUGHT RESISTANT, LAWN REMOVAL, WATER CONSERVATION, WATER CONSERVING, WATERWISE, LOW MAINTENANCE, CLIMATE, FRONT YARD, BACK YARD, BACKYARD, PATIO, POOL, SOUTHWESTERN, ASIAN, WALKWAY, SUCCULENT POTS, GRAVEL, EDIBLE, LANDSCAPE, POOL, GARDEN, GARDEN DESIGN, SUCCULENT GARDEN, SUCCULENT POTS, REBATE, SUCCULENT WALL, LIVING WALL, DRAFTING, HARDSCAPE, HARDSCAPING, LIGHTING, FOUNTAIN, WATER FEATURE, LOW WATER, DRIP IRRIGATION, FIRE PIT, SANTA BARBARA, OXNARD, VENTURA,

This beautiful landscape design was a unique project. When presented with a very steep incline, a large hill and only approximately 30' of level space, the Gary Duff Designs team got down to work, chopping down trees, and removing barrels of soil. After flattening out the space, this experienced team was able to implement each desired feature, from pool and play area to patio and privacy. This complete re-design and demolition resulted in an intimate, yet open, backyard living space.

This Berkeley property had overgrown vines, concaving fences, rotted deck, dead lawn, broken concrete, and poor drainage. After removing about 30 yards of soil from this lot, we were able to begin leveling and sculpting the landscape. We installed new concrete pathways, synthetic lawn, custom swing and arbor, Thermory wood decking with metal railings, paver patio with masonry stone wall seating, and stone mosaic water feature with stainless steel wire to match. Many elements tied together nicely in this modern Berkeley backyard.

Here, Deck and Patio replaced an old double 4-foot wooden retaining wall and water slide with a 7-foot-high water feature. “When we did this project, we actually removed an existing slide that went in to their old pool,” says Dave Stockwell. “Instead of adding a new slide, we used the space for a ‘pond-less’ waterfall system by Aquascape that filters and collects water flow underground and recirculates it. We even added a stepping stone path in front of the waterfall so they can stroll right past it — as if they were on vacation in the Caribbean or the like.” www.deckandpatio.com

This beautiful landscape design was a unique project. When presented with a very steep incline, a large hill and only approximately 30' of level space, the Gary Duff Designs team got down to work, chopping down trees, and removing barrels of soil. After flattening out the space, this experienced team was able to implement each desired feature, from pool and play area to patio and privacy. This complete re-design and demolition resulted in an intimate, yet open, backyard living space.

MEDITERRANEAN, TRADITIONAL, CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, MALIBU, CALABASAS, SANTA MONICA, THOUSAND OAKS, SHERMAN OAKS, WEST HILLS, PACIFIC PALISADES, NORTH RANCH, AGOURA, AGOURA HILLS, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, SUCCULENTS, ECLECTIC, OAK PARK, DECOMPOSED GRANITE, AUSTRALIAN PLANTS, CALIFORNIA NATIVE, CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS, SUSTAINABLE, RAIN CAPTURE, SOIL HEALTH, RUSTIC, ENGLISH GARDEN, DROUGHT TOLERANT, DROUGHT RESISTANT, LAWN REMOVAL, WATER CONSERVATION, WATER CONSERVING, WATERWISE, LOW MAINTENANCE, CLIMATE, FRONT YARD, BACK YARD, BACKYARD, PATIO, POOL, SOUTHWESTERN, ASIAN, WALKWAY, SUCCULENT POTS, GRAVEL, EDIBLE, LANDSCAPE, POOL, GARDEN, GARDEN DESIGN, SUCCULENT GARDEN, SUCCULENT POTS, REBATE, SUCCULENT WALL, LIVING WALL, DRAFTING, HARDSCAPE, HARDSCAPING, LIGHTING, FOUNTAIN, WATER FEATURE, LOW WATER, DRIP IRRIGATION, FIRE PIT, SANTA BARBARA, OXNARD, VENTURA,

This was a rather dirty Terracotta kitchen floor located at a house in Winchmore Hill in Buckinghamshire, not to be confused with the Winchmore Hill in London. The sealer on the tiles had worn off some time ago and now the dirt was becoming trapped in the pores of the Terracotta making it impossible to clean. Deep Cleaning Terracotta Tile To deep clean into the pores of the Terracotta a diluted solution of Tile Doctor Pro Clean, which is a strong tile cleaner sage to use on tiled floors, was applied to kitchen floor and left to soak in for around ten minutes. Then with the aid of a commercial rotary machine the solution was scrubbed into the tiles to release the many years of accumulated ingrained soiling which was removed from the floor using a wet vacuum. Although this deep cleaned the tile the grout lines needed further attention and were treated with Tile Doctor Grout Clean-up solution and then washed down with fresh water which was removed with a wet vacuum. There was still evidence of sealer remaining on the floor in some areas so the next step in the process was to apply Tile Doctor Remove and Go again working it into the tile using a scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary machine. Remove and Go as its name suggests is used to remove waxes and sealants from tile and stone. It certainly did the job and once the resultant slurry was vacuumed up and the floor given a final rinse to remove any chemicals used in the process the floor was looking much cleaner and left to dry overnight ready for our return Sealing Terracotta Tile The next day came back to do the sealing and checked the floor first for any spots we might had missed and also to ensure it had dried sufficiently. Tile Doctor Seal and Go was then applied in coats to fully seal the floor. As well as adding protection Seal and Go adds a nice subtle satin finish to Terracotta and being water based it doesn’t give off an odour when it’s drying.

This environmentally minded client in Milford Michigan. contacted us to create a rain garden. They were both master gardeners and had a very specific plants that they wanted to utilize in the waterwise location. The area was a small triangle shaped piece of ground between two driveways. We creatd a natural depression in the center of the garden for the rain to accumulate once the rain barrel was to capacity. The soil that we removed was used to fill the small raised planter bed that we constructed. This would keep the water away from the foundation and give the homeowners a spot to add a Green Japanese Maple and Hydrangea who like it a little drier. We then installed natural michigan fieldstone boulders as a transition form the grade level to the rain garden. Black onyx stone was used to frame the entire garden and it works very well with all of the colorful plant material. Landforms Inc.

MEDITERRANEAN, TRADITIONAL, CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, MALIBU, CALABASAS, SANTA MONICA, THOUSAND OAKS, SHERMAN OAKS, WEST HILLS, PACIFIC PALISADES, NORTH RANCH, AGOURA, AGOURA HILLS, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, SUCCULENTS, ECLECTIC, OAK PARK, DECOMPOSED GRANITE, AUSTRALIAN PLANTS, CALIFORNIA NATIVE, CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS, SUSTAINABLE, RAIN CAPTURE, SOIL HEALTH, RUSTIC, ENGLISH GARDEN, DROUGHT TOLERANT, DROUGHT RESISTANT, LAWN REMOVAL, WATER CONSERVATION, WATER CONSERVING, WATERWISE, LOW MAINTENANCE, CLIMATE, FRONT YARD, BACK YARD, BACKYARD, PATIO, POOL, SOUTHWESTERN, ASIAN, WALKWAY, SUCCULENT POTS, GRAVEL, EDIBLE, LANDSCAPE, POOL, GARDEN, GARDEN DESIGN, SUCCULENT GARDEN, SUCCULENT POTS, REBATE, SUCCULENT WALL, LIVING WALL, DRAFTING, HARDSCAPE, HARDSCAPING, LIGHTING, FOUNTAIN, WATER FEATURE, LOW WATER, DRIP IRRIGATION, FIRE PIT, SANTA BARBARA, OXNARD, VENTURA,

MEDITERRANEAN, TRADITIONAL, CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, MALIBU, CALABASAS, SANTA MONICA, THOUSAND OAKS, SHERMAN OAKS, WEST HILLS, PACIFIC PALISADES, NORTH RANCH, AGOURA, AGOURA HILLS, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, SUCCULENTS, ECLECTIC, OAK PARK, DECOMPOSED GRANITE, AUSTRALIAN PLANTS, CALIFORNIA NATIVE, CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS, SUSTAINABLE, RAIN CAPTURE, SOIL HEALTH, RUSTIC, ENGLISH GARDEN, DROUGHT TOLERANT, DROUGHT RESISTANT, LAWN REMOVAL, WATER CONSERVATION, WATER CONSERVING, WATERWISE, LOW MAINTENANCE, CLIMATE, FRONT YARD, BACK YARD, BACKYARD, PATIO, POOL, SOUTHWESTERN, ASIAN, WALKWAY, SUCCULENT POTS, GRAVEL, EDIBLE, LANDSCAPE, POOL, GARDEN, GARDEN DESIGN, SUCCULENT GARDEN, SUCCULENT POTS, REBATE, SUCCULENT WALL, LIVING WALL, DRAFTING, HARDSCAPE, HARDSCAPING, LIGHTING, FOUNTAIN, WATER FEATURE, LOW WATER, DRIP IRRIGATION, FIRE PIT, SANTA BARBARA, OXNARD, VENTURA,

MEDITERRANEAN, TRADITIONAL, CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, MALIBU, CALABASAS, SANTA MONICA, THOUSAND OAKS, SHERMAN OAKS, WEST HILLS, PACIFIC PALISADES, NORTH RANCH, AGOURA, AGOURA HILLS, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, SUCCULENTS, ECLECTIC, OAK PARK, DECOMPOSED GRANITE, AUSTRALIAN PLANTS, CALIFORNIA NATIVE, CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS, SUSTAINABLE, RAIN CAPTURE, SOIL HEALTH, RUSTIC, ENGLISH GARDEN, DROUGHT TOLERANT, DROUGHT RESISTANT, LAWN REMOVAL, WATER CONSERVATION, WATER CONSERVING, WATERWISE, LOW MAINTENANCE, CLIMATE, FRONT YARD, BACK YARD, BACKYARD, PATIO, POOL, SOUTHWESTERN, ASIAN, WALKWAY, SUCCULENT POTS, GRAVEL, EDIBLE, LANDSCAPE, POOL, GARDEN, GARDEN DESIGN, SUCCULENT GARDEN, SUCCULENT POTS, REBATE, SUCCULENT WALL, LIVING WALL, DRAFTING, HARDSCAPE, HARDSCAPING, LIGHTING, FOUNTAIN, WATER FEATURE, LOW WATER, DRIP IRRIGATION, FIRE PIT, SANTA BARBARA, OXNARD, VENTURA,

This beautiful landscape design was a unique project. When presented with a very steep incline, a large hill and only approximately 30' of level space, the Gary Duff Designs team got down to work, chopping down trees, and removing barrels of soil. After flattening out the space, this experienced team was able to implement each desired feature, from pool and play area to patio and privacy. This complete re-design and demolition resulted in an intimate, yet open, backyard living space.

MEDITERRANEAN, TRADITIONAL, CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, MALIBU, CALABASAS, SANTA MONICA, THOUSAND OAKS, SHERMAN OAKS, WEST HILLS, PACIFIC PALISADES, NORTH RANCH, AGOURA, AGOURA HILLS, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, SUCCULENTS, ECLECTIC, OAK PARK, DECOMPOSED GRANITE, AUSTRALIAN PLANTS, CALIFORNIA NATIVE, CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS, SUSTAINABLE, RAIN CAPTURE, SOIL HEALTH, RUSTIC, ENGLISH GARDEN, DROUGHT TOLERANT, DROUGHT RESISTANT, LAWN REMOVAL, WATER CONSERVATION, WATER CONSERVING, WATERWISE, LOW MAINTENANCE, CLIMATE, FRONT YARD, BACK YARD, BACKYARD, PATIO, POOL, SOUTHWESTERN, ASIAN, WALKWAY, SUCCULENT POTS, GRAVEL, EDIBLE, LANDSCAPE, POOL, GARDEN, GARDEN DESIGN, SUCCULENT GARDEN, SUCCULENT POTS, REBATE, SUCCULENT WALL, LIVING WALL, DRAFTING, HARDSCAPE, HARDSCAPING, LIGHTING, FOUNTAIN, WATER FEATURE, LOW WATER, DRIP IRRIGATION, FIRE PIT, SANTA BARBARA, OXNARD, VENTURA,

What does a roof deck look like when every part of the roof, even areas deemed uninhabitable and structurally weak, is utilized and optimized? This large midcentury home on the edge of Presidio National Park in San Francisco had an incredible location and views. But the original roof deck suffered from poor design detailing that had rendered it a leaking, deteriorating mess. Even worse, the previous owner had covered three roof areas surrounding the deck with river stones, structurally overloading the building and endangering its occupants. We removed the river stones and everything else down to the framing. An expertly detailed drainage and waterproofing system underlies everything above. The deck and access stairs are surfaced with durable and refined porcelain pavers. The guardrail is made from custom stainless steel supports with clear, low-iron, laminated glass spanning between for an unobstructed view. Heated seats make watching the chilly fog roll in through the gate comfy. Planting and greenery surround the deck. The type varies depending on structural conditions- a deep planter sits on top of a structural wall, sedums in shallow soil occupy the strong edges of the surrounding rooftops, and faux grass turf fills out the middle in areas that can’t support the weight of wet soil.

MEDITERRANEAN, TRADITIONAL, CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, MALIBU, CALABASAS, SANTA MONICA, THOUSAND OAKS, SHERMAN OAKS, WEST HILLS, PACIFIC PALISADES, NORTH RANCH, AGOURA, AGOURA HILLS, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, SUCCULENTS, ECLECTIC, OAK PARK, DECOMPOSED GRANITE, AUSTRALIAN PLANTS, CALIFORNIA NATIVE, CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS, SUSTAINABLE, RAIN CAPTURE, SOIL HEALTH, RUSTIC, ENGLISH GARDEN, DROUGHT TOLERANT, DROUGHT RESISTANT, LAWN REMOVAL, WATER CONSERVATION, WATER CONSERVING, WATERWISE, LOW MAINTENANCE, CLIMATE, FRONT YARD, BACK YARD, BACKYARD, PATIO, POOL, SOUTHWESTERN, ASIAN, WALKWAY, SUCCULENT POTS, GRAVEL, EDIBLE, LANDSCAPE, POOL, GARDEN, GARDEN DESIGN, SUCCULENT GARDEN, SUCCULENT POTS, REBATE, SUCCULENT WALL, LIVING WALL, DRAFTING, HARDSCAPE, HARDSCAPING, LIGHTING, FOUNTAIN, WATER FEATURE, LOW WATER, DRIP IRRIGATION, FIRE PIT, SANTA BARBARA, OXNARD, VENTURA,

Oak trees have been a symbol of strength for a long time. They are also known to live for a very long time, given the right conditions. The reason they became a symbol of strength is because they themselves are very strong and are able to survive some of the harshest storms, when healthy. The wood it produces is undoubtedly very strong as well and is commonly used in the making of furniture, homes, and boats. Oak trees are not only used for their strong wood, but also for their beauty. There are even certain species that produce distinctive lobed leaves, allowing them to stand out. Then, when fall comes around, they become even more majestic when their leaves turn bright and brilliant colours that add texture and a unique spectacle to the changing environment. The beauty is so amazing that you might even want one for your own yard. Our team here at Five Star Tree Services is going to go over a few different types of oak trees that might be perfect for your landscape! These are guaranteed to have spectacular fall colours, great shade, and amazing texture. Different Types of Oaks You might be interested to know that oaks are one of the oldest trees in the world. Archeologists have been able to date them back to around 65 million years ago. A healthy oak can even live to about 200-300 years old. But do you know where these big trees come from? Little tiny acorns. A single oak tree is able to produce roughly 10 million acorns over the course of its lifetime. Not only are oak trees beneficial to people but they are also great for animals. They are able to support more than 500 moth and butterfly species, which is more than other native trees can do. Insects also like to find homes in oak trees, which helps to feed the birds. Not to mention that small animals like squirrels also can utilize them for things like food, shade, and shelter. They also help larger animals, such as the white-tailed deer, who eats the acorns during the fall and winter season, which is about 75% of their diets. Around the world, you can find more than 600 species of oak trees. Let’s go over a small handful of our favourites that are great for providing dazzling colourful displays during the fall months, when the leaves change colours. These are going to range from bronzes, to golds, to reds, and everything in between. Black Oak It might be apparent that the name comes from the outward appearance from the almost black bark that you see, along with the deep orange or yellow inner bark of the tree. Being quite a statement tree, you can enjoy the green glossy leaves in the summer and then enjoy them again then they turn orange and red in the fall. This tree has a tendency to look very similar to a red oak, but one of the major differences is that black oaks are a little smaller and are able to tolerate drier soil conditions. Specifications: -Growing Zones: 3-9 -Sun Tolerance: Full sun, which can equate to 6 hours of uninterrupted sunlight each day -Soil: Needs slightly acidic, well-drained, and rich soil -Growing height: 50-60 feet White Oak This oak tree is great for shade and can easily be spotted by the light colour of its bark. During the spring, it comes out with pinkish leaves that later on turn to dark green. The leaves of this tree are 4-9 inches long, have 7-9 lobes, and turn reddish-brown in the fall. Specifications: -Growing Zone: 3-9 -Sun Tolerance: Full sun, which can equate to 6 hours of uninterrupted sunlight each day -Soil: Needs to be planted in well drained and slightly acidic soil -Growing Height: 80 feet Red Oak This oak doesn’t have its name for nothing. It offers the brightest red leaves out of all the oak trees. In the fall, the leaves turn a beautiful deep red. During the summer, it has glossy green leaves and an open canopy. This is a widely adaptable tree and it also grows much faster than other oaks. Specifications: -Growing Zone: 3-9 -Sun Tolerance: Full sun, which can equate to 6 hours of uninterrupted sunlight each day -Soil: Needs to be plated in slightly acidic, moist, but well-drained soil -Growing Height: 50-75 feet Bur Oak One of the defining features of this tree is that it has unique acorns. They are larger than other trees and are fringed. It grows in a round shape that is dense with leaves, offering lovely shade and is able to tolerate heat stress and pollution. In the fall the leaves of this oak tree can turn either yellow/green, muted yellow, or yellow/brown. Specifications: -Growing Zones: 3-8 -Sun Tolerance: Full sun, which can equate to 6 hours of uninterrupted sunlight each day -Soil: Needs neutral to alkaline soil -Growing Height: 60-80 feet Pin Oak Typically found along rivers in eastern and central US, this oak tree’s unique feature is its distinctive branching pattern. It has large leaves that are pointed with sweeping U-shaped spaces between lobes. The leaves in the fall turn a scarlet red and eventually become bronze later in the fall. Specifications: -Growing Zone: 4-8 -Sun Tolerance: Full sun, which can equate to 6 hours of uninterrupted sunlight each day -Soil: Needs slightly acidic soil. Can tolerate wet and heavy clay soils -Growing Height: 60-70 feet Live Oak These are not usually super tall but they do have winding and spiraling branches which have the ability to grow into a massive diameter, larger than other oak trees, and this helps to provide a large area of shade. Another special thing about this particular type of tree is that it is the only evergreen, not a deciduous tree like the rest. This specific oak tree is one of the strongest and was used in colonial times for making ships in the US Navy. The glossy leathery leaves on this tree are 1-3 inches long and are dark green with lighter green underneath, which lasts during the entire winter. Specifications: -Growing Zone: 8-11 -Sun Tolerance: Full sun, which can equate to 6 hours of uninterrupted sunlight each day -Soil: Needs to be planted in slightly acidic soil -Growing Height: 40-80 feet How Five Star Tree Services Can Help Whether you are looking for the best oak tree for your yard or any other tree, our professionals here at Five Star Tree Services can help! With our wide variety of services, we can help you with all your tree care services in Richmond Hill! Give us a call today at (416) 990-3355!

This environmentally minded client in Milford Michigan. contacted us to create a rain garden. They were both master gardeners and had a very specific plants that they wanted to utilize in the waterwise location. The area was a small triangle shaped piece of ground between two driveways. We creatd a natural depression in the center of the garden for the rain to accumulate once the rain barrel was to capacity. The soil that we removed was used to fill the small raised planter bed that we constructed. This would keep the water away from the foundation and give the homeowners a spot to add a Green Japanese Maple and Hydrangea who like it a little drier. We then installed natural michigan fieldstone boulders as a transition form the grade level to the rain garden. Black onyx stone was used to frame the entire garden and it works very well with all of the colorful plant material. Landforms Inc.

MEDITERRANEAN, TRADITIONAL, CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, MALIBU, CALABASAS, SANTA MONICA, THOUSAND OAKS, SHERMAN OAKS, WEST HILLS, PACIFIC PALISADES, NORTH RANCH, AGOURA, AGOURA HILLS, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, SUCCULENTS, ECLECTIC, OAK PARK, DECOMPOSED GRANITE, AUSTRALIAN PLANTS, CALIFORNIA NATIVE, CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS, SUSTAINABLE, RAIN CAPTURE, SOIL HEALTH, RUSTIC, ENGLISH GARDEN, DROUGHT TOLERANT, DROUGHT RESISTANT, LAWN REMOVAL, WATER CONSERVATION, WATER CONSERVING, WATERWISE, LOW MAINTENANCE, CLIMATE, FRONT YARD, BACK YARD, BACKYARD, PATIO, POOL, SOUTHWESTERN, ASIAN, WALKWAY, SUCCULENT POTS, GRAVEL, EDIBLE, LANDSCAPE, POOL, GARDEN, GARDEN DESIGN, SUCCULENT GARDEN, SUCCULENT POTS, REBATE, SUCCULENT WALL, LIVING WALL, DRAFTING, HARDSCAPE, HARDSCAPING, LIGHTING, FOUNTAIN, WATER FEATURE, LOW WATER, DRIP IRRIGATION, FIRE PIT, SANTA BARBARA, OXNARD, VENTURA,