Shadetree Landscape Design
📍 Tempe, Scottsdale & East Valley, AZ
5.0 rating · 27 reviews
Licensed & Insured · Since 1989
TempeAZ85284
Custom pool and water feature by Shadetree Landscape Design Tempe Scottsdale Arizona
Tempe • Scottsdale • East Valley
Water Features

Water that works
as hard as the
Arizona sun

Custom pools, natural stone fountains, and cascading water features designed to cool your outdoor space, anchor your backyard, and transform the way you live outside.

What we build

Three types of water features —
each engineered for Arizona

Every water feature we design is built around your yard's specific layout, sun exposure, and how you plan to use the space. Here's what we specialize in.

Custom pool with stone coping Tempe Scottsdale Arizona
Most Popular
Pools & Pool Water Features
From the pool itself to the stonework, spillways, and integrated water jets that bring it to life — we design and build the complete aquatic environment, not just a hole in the ground.
  • Custom stone coping and pool deck
  • Spillways, waterfalls, and bubblers
  • Travertine and paver pool surrounds
  • Integrated turf and hardscape
Natural stone fountain and water spouts Arizona
Architectural
Natural Stone Fountains & Walls
Custom-built stone walls with integrated water spouts, cascading fountains, and reflecting features. Each one is built by hand from natural stone — no two are alike, and they look better every year as the stone develops character.
  • Hand-built natural stone construction
  • Integrated water spouts and jets
  • Recirculating pump systems
  • Works in any size yard
Stone wall water feature covered patio Arizona
Specialty
Covered Patio & Courtyard Features
Water features designed specifically for covered patios, interior courtyards, and shaded outdoor rooms — where the sound and movement of water creates an oasis feel even in a smaller footprint.
  • Compact designs for smaller spaces
  • Indoor-outdoor transition features
  • Low-maintenance recirculating systems
  • Works with existing patio structures
Why water features

In Arizona, water doesn't just look good —
it actually makes your yard cooler

A well-designed water feature isn't decoration. In a desert climate where patios can hit 150°F in summer, moving water drops the surrounding air temperature, creates natural white noise, and transforms an outdoor space from something you look at into somewhere you actually want to spend time.

Finished natural stone water wall with spouts by Shadetree Landscape Design

Evaporating water absorbs heat from the surrounding air — the same science behind Arizona's swamp coolers, applied to your outdoor space. A fountain, spillway, or pool with moving water actively cools the area around it, making your patio usable even on summer afternoons when a standard dry patio is unbearable.

In landscape design, every great outdoor space has a focal point — something your eye goes to first and your attention stays on. Water does that better than anything else. The sound, the movement, and the reflection all work together to make the rest of your yard feel intentional and complete.

In the Phoenix and Scottsdale market, a professionally installed pool or water feature consistently ranks as one of the highest-return outdoor investments. Buyers in the East Valley expect it — and homes without an outdoor water element often sell at a discount compared to comparable properties that have one.

Pool and water feature evening Arizona backyard Water feature construction Arizona Water feature plumbing installation Arizona
Built for every hour

Arizona's outdoor season runs late into the evening — your water feature should too

The best time to be outside in Arizona isn't noon — it's 7pm when the temperature drops and the yard comes alive. A well-lit, well-designed water feature transforms that evening window into the best part of the day.

Integrated landscape lighting
Underwater lights, uplighting on stone walls, and path lighting designed to show off your water feature at its best after the sun goes down.
Sound that carries the right way
The flow rate and drop height of a water feature determine how it sounds — a gentle trickle for relaxation, a stronger cascade for masking street noise. We design the sound as intentionally as the look.
Low-maintenance systems
Every water feature we install uses a reliable recirculating pump system. In Arizona's hard water environment, we spec the right filtration from the start so your feature stays clear and clean year-round.
Our work

Water feature projects across Tempe & Scottsdale

Rebates & permits

What you need to know before you start

Pool and water feature projects in the East Valley involve city permitting and — in some cases — rebate programs that can put money back in your pocket. We walk every client through this as part of the planning process.

City permits
In Tempe and Scottsdale, pool and water feature builds require permits submitted through the city's official process. In Tempe, all permit applications go through the Citizen Access Portal online. In Scottsdale, larger projects may also require a pre-inspection and a written Notice to Proceed before any ground is broken. We coordinate with the city on your behalf and make sure everything is submitted correctly.
Don't start any pool or water feature work without the right permits in place — Scottsdale in particular enforces this strictly, and starting without approval can disqualify you from rebate programs.
Pool removal rebates
If you're removing an existing pool as part of a yard redesign, Scottsdale has historically offered a pool removal rebate of up to $1,500. That program is currently closed for the season but is expected to reopen. Tempe offers water conservation rebates tied to grass removal and xeriscape landscaping — ask us about current availability for your specific project and city.
We stay current on rebate programs across Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, and Phoenix. During your free consultation, we'll tell you exactly what's available for your project right now.
Not sure what applies to your project?
Chris will walk through permits and rebate options during your free design consultation.
Book a Free Consultation
Custom pool and water feature Tempe Arizona
Start your project

Ready to bring water
into your outdoor space?

Every project starts with a free, no-pressure walkthrough with Chris Flores. He'll look at your yard, talk through what's possible, and give you a real plan — no sales pitch, no obligation.

2,000+Projects completed
35+Years in Arizona
5.0Star rating
Licensed & insured Arizona contractor
2,000+ projects since 1989
Owner supervised by Chris Flores