Should you remove fallen leaves or keep them on your Montreal property?
“Remove all the leaves” is not the only way to describe an autumn job. Before choosing a cleanup, separate your property into lawn, planted beds and hard surfaces. You may want a different outcome in each area.
Montréal’s green-waste guidance recognizes leafcycling: shredding autumn leaves instead of collecting them. It also prohibits placing dead leaves directly in the street. Whether you collect or retain material, choose a plan for the property rather than pushing it elsewhere.
Start with the outcome you want
For each area, write one instruction: “clear,” “leave,” or “discuss.” This is a simple way to avoid misunderstandings. For example, you might request cleared paths, ask about leafcycling on the lawn, and keep a particular bed untouched until its planting needs are assessed.
These are options to discuss, not a recommendation to mow through every pile. If you cannot identify the plants or are unsure about the material, ask for an assessment before work begins.
Make a plan for collected leaves
Decide whether the quote should include gathering material only or also handling it afterward. Ask who supplies containers, where material will be left and whether transport is included. A pile moved to the side of your yard is a different result from material removed off-site.
Use the official collection-schedule service to check your location. A Montréal article is not a collection calendar for every borough or independent West Island municipality.
When does professional help make sense?
Consider your time, the amount of work and access to the areas involved. If several people share responsibility for the property, agree on the result first. A condo board and a homeowner can both benefit from a written list of areas and a clear waste-handling decision.
When comparing estimates, ask each contractor to describe the same outcome. A low price for gathering leaves cannot be compared directly with a price that also includes beds, paths and transport.
Three questions to ask before booking
- Which areas will be cleared, assessed or left untouched?
- What exactly happens to the collected material?
- Does the scope cover one visit or a follow-up after more leaves fall?