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Reference glossary
THE VOCABULARY OF OUTDOOR SERVICES.
Factual definitions from the residential outdoor maintenance trade in Quebec — arboriculture, drainage, lawn care, snow removal — anchored in the reality of the South Shore of Montreal. Written by Ultra Solution crews to help property owners understand what's being offered and compare quotes on clear terms.
English glossary in progress. The full reference glossary (110+ terms) is currently being translated. Below are the most-used core terms. For the complete French version, see the FR glossary →.
Lawn & treatments
Ultra Lawn — Turf & treatments
- Aeration
- Mechanical extraction of soil cores (typically 7-10 cm deep) to relieve soil compaction, improve oxygen and water penetration, and stimulate root growth. Best done mid-September to mid-October on the South Shore. Cores are left on the surface and break down naturally in 1-2 weeks.
- Fertilization (4 seasons)
- Program of four granular applications spread over the season: spring start-up (moderate nitrogen), early summer (potassium for heat resistance), late summer (phosphorus for roots), late fall (winter reserves). Health Canada-approved products. 100 % organic option available.
- Mulching
- Mowing technique that finely chops the clippings and returns them to the lawn instead of collecting them. The residues decompose in a few days and feed the soil (free natural fertilizer). Default approach at Ultra Lawn; collection available on request.
- Spot treatment
- Targeted weed treatment applied only on visible patches (dandelion, plantain, crabgrass), rather than a full lawn spray. More effective and less harmful to soil microbiology. Standard Ultra Lawn method.
- Topdressing
- Thin layer of compost or screened soil applied after aeration to amend the soil, fill in low spots and feed micro-organisms. Combined with overseeding, it's the most effective way to rebuild a thinned lawn without re-sodding.
Tree work
Ultra Tree — Pruning, removal, arboriculture
- Tree removal (felling)
- Complete cutting of a tree, either by sectional dismantling (dense urban environment on the South Shore) or directional felling (large lots). Several cities — Brossard, Longueuil, Saint-Lambert — require a municipal permit before removing a tree over 10 cm in diameter. Ultra Solution handles the permit application for its clients.
- Pruning
- Periodic removal of branches for health, safety or aesthetics. Best done during dormancy (November to March) for most deciduous trees. Maples and birches: prune in summer to limit sap loss. Conifers: spring.
- Stump grinding
- Mechanical grinding of a remaining stump to at least 15 cm below ground level, then backfilling with soil. Allows seeding, planting or replanting at the same spot. Often done in the same visit as the removal, or deferred according to client constraints.
- SIAQ
- Société internationale d'arboriculture - Québec. Quebec chapter of the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture). Certifies climber-arborists in Quebec to ISA standards. All Ultra Tree climbers hold this certification.
- Emerald ash borer
- Invasive exotic beetle (Agrilus planipennis) that kills ash trees within 2 to 4 years. Detected on the South Shore since 2011. Brossard, Longueuil and Boucherville impose either TreeAzin treatment or removal with destruction of the infested wood.
- Arborist inspection
- Detailed assessment of one or more mature trees: vigour, structural defects, infections, fall risk. Includes a written report with prioritized recommendations (pruning, cabling, removal). Accepted by Quebec insurers for claims.
Snow removal
Ultra Snow — Snow removal & ice
- Seasonal contract (fixed price)
- Snow removal package at a flat rate from November to April, regardless of the number of storms. Mild winter or heavy winter, the amount stays the same. The contractor takes on the weather risk, not the client.
- De-icing
- Application of an abrasive or melting agent (salt, sand, low-sodium mix, calcium chloride pet-safe) on driveways, walkways and stairs to reduce slip risk. Adjustable choice per client (plants, pets, walking surfaces).
- Ice storm emergency
- Targeted intervention triggered by Environment Canada freezing-rain alerts. Localized spreading on driveways, stairs, emergency accesses. Included for seasonal residential clients (up to 4 mobilizations/season).
- End-of-winter cleanup
- Final pass once snow has fully melted (mid-March to mid-April depending on the year): pickup of sand residues, scraping of remaining ice, blowing the porch and edges. Notice given 48 h in advance.
Drainage & earthwork
Ultra Excavation — Drainage & earthwork
- French drain
- Perforated drainage pipe wrapped in geotextile, laid in clean 3/4-inch gravel around the foundation, that collects groundwater and channels it to a sump pit or storm sewer. Typical lifespan: 30-40 years. Ultra Excavation includes camera inspection before backfilling.
- Sump pump
- Submersible pump installed in a sump pit collecting water from the French drain. Mechanically expels the water once it reaches a threshold. Works in tandem with the drain when the ground is too flat for gravity discharge.
- Mini-excavator
- Compact tracked machine (around 90 cm wide) used for residential excavation: French drain, foundation, driveway prep, planters. Light enough not to damage existing lawn. Ultra Excavation uses Kubota mini-excavators.
- Sub-base preparation
- Earthworks done before laying paving stones, asphalt or concrete: stripping, geotextile, compacted crushed stone, drainage slope. The quality of the sub-base determines durability — a paved driveway on a poor sub-base sinks within 3 years.
- Info-Excavation marking
- Required Quebec service that locates underground utilities (gas, electricity, telecom) before any excavation. Free, mandatory, called by Ultra Excavation before each project. Average delay: 3 business days.
Quebec institutions
Quebec institutions & regulations
- CNESST
- Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail. Quebec body that covers workers in case of accident. A contractor without a CNESST declaration leaves you civilly liable if one of their workers gets hurt on your property.
- RBQ
- Régie du bâtiment du Québec. Issues mandatory licences for any construction or excavation work above set thresholds. Ultra Solution is in the process of obtaining its RBQ licence.
- Civil liability insurance
- Commercial liability insurance covering damage caused to third parties (your roof, your neighbour's car, a passerby). Minimum acceptable on the South Shore: $5,000,000 CAD. Certificate available on request before any project.
- Municipal permit
- Authorization issued by a city before certain works (tree removal over 10-15 cm in diameter, French drain installation, sub-base modification). Mandatory in most South Shore municipalities. Ultra Solution handles the application, follow-up and acceptance wait.
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