CEDAR PLANTING IN TERREBONNE

The Terrebonne territory has varied soil conditions depending on the sector. In the areas near the Mille-Îles River, which delimits the south of the city, and the Mascouche River, which runs through its centre, the soils tend to be more clayey and compact, with sometimes limited drainage. These conditions can slow down the recovery of cedars if planting is not done with the right amendments. In more northern areas such as La Plaine, soils are generally better drained but sandier and nutrient-poor, making soil enrichment at planting all the more important to ensure the long-term vitality of the plants.

🌲Terrebonne Sector — Old Terrebonne and Established Neighbourhoods

The historic sector borders the Rivière des Mille-Îles and includes an older residential fabric, composed mainly of bungalows and two-storey houses built between the 1960s and 1990s. The land is often narrower than elsewhere, which leads many owners to opt for varieties with a columnar habit — such as the Brandon — in order to create an effective natural hedge without encroaching on the space of the yard. The heritage character of the area, with its tree-lined streets and the presence of Île-des-Moulins, also attracts owners who are attached to the aesthetics of their landscaping.

🌲Lachenaie Sector — Active Developments and New Construction

Lachenaie is the fastest-growing area in Terrebonne. New neighbourhoods are added every year — Urbanova, Domaine du Parc, the Université de Montréal campus and the Centre hospitalier Pierre-Le Gardeur — generating hundreds of new single-family and semi-detached properties. In these recent developments where homes are built on lots close together, the demand for cedar hedges is particularly strong: new homeowners want to quickly regain a sense of privacy in their yard, without waiting for natural vegetation to settle.

🌲La Plaine Sector — Large lots and semi-rural character

The Plaine offers a more spacious character, with generally larger plots of land than in the other two sectors. There is a mix of single-family homes established on large lots and more recent developments. Owners in La Plaine often look for tall hedges to delimit long edges of land, create well-defined outdoor living areas or protect themselves from the winds coming from the north. This sector, which is more in contact with the agricultural areas and woods of Lanaudière, is also the one where certain environmental factors deserve special attention.

Good news for the following years: once your hedge is established and ready for its first annual pruning, the City of Terrebonne offers a free home cedar trim recovery service, available from May 1 to October 31. Simply group the scraps at the curb after pruning and schedule a collection — pickup is within 48 business hours. A practical and eco-responsible initiative that simplifies the maintenance of your hedge for years to come.