River Hills Landscaping Services

Sixty-five years in southeastern Wisconsin means we know River Hills—the established neighborhoods, the mature trees, what these properties need.

Understanding River Hills Properties

River Hills is different from other North Shore communities. Most properties are large homes, often several acres. Big old trees are everywhere—oaks and maples that have been growing for 50, 60, 70 years. Lawns are extensive and need expert care. Many homes sit on wooded lots where maintained landscapes blend into natural areas. Some properties have significant slopes. Others are relatively flat. The Milwaukee River runs through parts of the village and creates its own microclimates in those areas. All of this affects what we plant and how we maintain it.

Residential Landscaping Services in River Hills

Home Design-Build Projects

Our residential design-build services handle complete projects throughout River Hills. You get one team from start to finish. No juggling between someone who designs it, someone who prices it, and someone else who builds it. We start by asking what you’re trying to accomplish. Improving spaces for entertaining? Adding private garden areas? Updating old hardscapes? Better pathways and circulation? Whatever you want drives what we design.

Hardscape projects make up much of our River Hills work:

• Paver Patios: Engineered to survive Wisconsin winters
• Outdoor Kitchens: Full setups including grills, counter space, storage
• Fire Pits and Fireplaces: Gathering spots when it gets chilly
• Retaining Walls: Handling grade changes and stopping erosion
• Walkways and Drives: Stone, pavers, or decorative concrete
• Water Features: Custom ponds, fountains, waterfalls

What happens below ground matters most. Dig deep enough to get past the frost line, or pavers will heave. Use enough base material and compact it right, or everything settles. Route water away properly, or it pools and causes ice damage. Nobody sees this work once grass grows back, but it’s what separates installations that last decades from ones that fail in a few years.

Professional Tree Care for River Hills Homes

River Hills properties feature impressive mature trees: towering oaks, stately maples, and other specimens that have grown for generations. The village’s character is defined by its trees, which also represent substantial value. To maintain their health and structural safety, our certified arborists provide expert care.

Winter provides ideal pruning conditions. Trees respond best to cuts during dormancy. Frozen ground protects property from equipment. We also identify diseases early, address insect problems before they spread, and safely remove trees that have become hazardous or declined beyond recovery.

New plantings require matching species to specific conditions, including available sunlight, existing soil type, space for mature size, intended purpose. River Hills’ wooded properties often have shade considerations and established root systems to work around. We select appropriate species, plant at correct depths, and provide establishment care.

Home Lawn Care Programs

River Hills lawns vary by location and conditions. Sun exposure differs dramatically between open areas and wooded sections. Soil types range from sandy loam to heavier clay. Slopes affect water movement; our lawn care programs adjust for these site-specific factors.

Services include:

• Fertilization: Timed to grass growth cycles, with rates based on soil conditions
• Weed Management: Spring barriers prevent germination, targeted treatments handle breakthrough weeds
• Core Aeration: Mechanical soil plug removal relieves compaction, improves root development
• Overseeding: Improved turf varieties that thicken sparse areas and tolerate stress better

Open sunny lawns need different treatment than shaded areas under tree canopies. We customize programs accordingly.

Yard Maintenance and Specialty Services

Regular maintenance keeps River Hills homes looking pristine. Weekly service covers mowing, trimming, edging, keeping mulch fresh, pruning plants as needed. Spring and fall we do deeper cleanups. We stick to the schedule and maintain quality.

Outdoor lighting enhances evening use of outdoor spaces while improving safety. Path lighting guides navigation. Uplighting showcases specimen trees and architecture. Downlighting provides ambient illumination. Low-voltage systems operate efficiently year-round.

Seasonal color rotates plantings through the calendar. Spring bulbs and cool-season annuals, summer displays, fall mums, and ornamental vegetables. We prepare beds, maintain plants through display periods, and transition to next seasons.

Automated irrigation systems eliminate watering uncertainty. We design zone layouts for complete coverage, install systems with weather-sensing controllers, perform spring activation and fall winterization, and handle seasonal repairs. Smart controllers adjust to current conditions rather than fixed schedules.

Our holiday decorating service operates year-round for major holidays. We create displays suited to home architecture, install safely, maintain through holiday periods, provide complete removal, and offer optional storage.

Commercial Landscaping Services in River Hills

Commercial properties in River Hills—office buildings, medical facilities, and institutional sites—require landscapes projecting professional images consistently. Our services include:

• Turf Management: Regular mowing and trimming maintains neat appearance
• Bed Care: Mulch renewal, weed elimination, plant pruning
• Seasonal Work: Comprehensive spring and fall services
• Quality Oversight: Regular inspections identify issues promptly

Standard maintenance contracts run April through November. Our construction services operate year-round.

Commercial Construction Services

We handle design-build contracts where we develop and execute plans, plus bid-build work where we construct to the architect’s specifications. Our portfolio includes new construction, renovations, and phased improvements.

Outdoor employee spaces boost workplace satisfaction. We design courtyards and gathering areas that are regularly used. Factors we take into consideration include sun exposure, prevailing winds, how water moves through the space, keeping it interesting year-round, and being honest about upkeep demands.

Winter Weather Management

Reliable snow and ice control proves critical during Wisconsin winters. We maintain operations during weather events with substantial crews and equipment. Plowing, hand clearing, and ice melt application keep River Hills properties safe and accessible.

Commercial Irrigation and Holiday Displays

Well-engineered irrigation systems water commercial properties efficiently. We install complete systems with weather-responsive controllers, handle spring startups and fall shutdowns, and provide ongoing repairs.

Commercial holiday displays help businesses look welcoming while staying on-brand. We create displays that suit your company, install safely, inspect throughout the season, and remove completely after the holidays. Storage available.

Why River Hills Chooses David J. Frank

Curb Appeal

In River Hills, curb appeal is about refinement and consistency across large, established properties. Clean lawn lines, properly maintained beds, healthy turf, and well-cared-for trees all contribute to a property that feels polished without looking overdone.

We focus on key areas like driveways, entrances, and high-visibility sections while making sure everything ties together across the entire landscape. On wooded or estate properties, curb appeal also means blending maintained spaces with the natural surroundings.

The goal is simple: a property that looks intentional, well-kept, and in line with the character of River Hills.

Decades of serving southeastern Wisconsin have built our expertise working with home properties and discerning clients. We employ over 250 people company-wide, providing resources and capabilities that smaller operations can’t match. The company handling your weekly maintenance can also manage complete home renovations or new construction. Our capacity scales with client needs.

Year-round operations mean construction continues through winter, emergency tree work gets handled regardless of season, and snow clearing responds immediately to weather events.

Get Started on Your River Hills Landscape Project

From home maintenance to complete property transformations to commercial services throughout River Hills, we apply over 65 years of regional experience to every assignment.

Call us at 262-255-4888 to discuss your project, or contact us online. We’ll answer your questions, evaluate your property’s requirements, and outline our approach. Let’s create exceptional landscapes for your River Hills property.