Landscapers glossary
Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a landscaper provider in Connecticut.
- What is a backflow preventer?
- A valve installed on irrigation systems to prevent water contaminated with fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemicals from flowing backward into the public or private drinking water supply.
- What is a curtain drain?
- A curtain drain is a shallow, gravel-filled trench installed across a slope to intercept and redirect groundwater away from foundations, basements, or low-lying areas before it can cause damage.
- What is a dry well?
- An underground chamber or pit that receives roof runoff and drainage water, allowing it to percolate slowly into the soil rather than flowing into storm drains or across the surface.
- What is a French drain?
- A French drain is a subsurface drainage system made of a sloped gravel trench containing perforated pipe that channels water away from structures and low-lying areas.
- What is a paver base?
- Paver base is a compacted layer of processed stone aggregate installed beneath pavers, patios, or walkways to provide drainage and stability and prevent frost heave.
- What is a pre-emergent herbicide?
- A pre-emergent herbicide is a weed control product applied to soil before weed seeds germinate, blocking seedlings from developing rather than killing established weeds.
- What is a segmental retaining wall?
- A segmental retaining wall is a landscape wall system made from interlocking, dry-stacked concrete blocks that hold soil and grade changes without mortar or poured concrete.
- What is a soil pH test?
- A soil pH test measures the acidity or alkalinity level of soil, which affects nutrient availability and turf health. Results guide decisions about lime application and other soil amendments.
- What is a swale?
- A swale is a shallow, sloped channel graded into the ground to redirect surface water runoff away from structures and across a yard or property.
- What is an emerald ash borer?
- The emerald ash borer is an invasive metallic green beetle from Asia that feeds under the bark of ash trees, blocking water and nutrient transport and killing the tree within 3-5 years of infestation.
- What is an ISA certified arborist?
- An ISA certified arborist holds a credential from the International Society of Arboriculture, earned by passing a comprehensive exam and meeting documented experience requirements in tree biology, care, and safety.
- What is core aeration?
- Core aeration is a mechanical process that removes small cylindrical plugs of soil from a lawn to reduce soil compaction and improve water, air, and nutrient penetration to grass roots.
- What is crown reduction?
- Crown reduction is the selective shortening of tree branches throughout the canopy to reduce overall size and spread while maintaining the tree's natural form and health.
- What is deadwooding?
- Deadwooding is the selective removal of dead, dying, or diseased branches from a tree's canopy to eliminate hazards and improve structure and appearance.
- What is dethatching?
- Dethatching is the removal of thatch, the layer of dead grass, roots, and organic debris that accumulates between the soil surface and actively growing grass blades.
- What is efflorescence?
- Efflorescence is a white, chalky mineral deposit that forms on concrete surfaces when water-soluble salts migrate to the surface and crystallize as moisture evaporates.
- What is geogrid reinforcement?
- Geogrid reinforcement is a polymer or synthetic mesh grid inserted horizontally into soil layers behind retaining walls to increase tensile strength and prevent wall collapse or displacement.
- What is grub control?
- Grub control refers to pest management treatments that either prevent or eliminate white grub larvae (young beetles) that feed on grass roots and damage lawns in Connecticut.
- What is overseeding?
- Overseeding is the practice of spreading grass seed directly onto existing turf to fill in thin areas, thicken the lawn, or establish more hardy grass varieties suited to local conditions.
- What is polymeric sand?
- Polymeric sand is a manufactured sand blend mixed with binding polymers that hardens when exposed to water, used to fill joints between pavers and lock them in place.
- What is softscape?
- Softscape refers to the living and organic elements of a landscape, such as plants, trees, shrubs, soil, and turf, distinguished from hardscape elements like pavers and walls.
- What is TRAQ tree risk assessment?
- TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification) is a professional credential that certifies arborists to systematically evaluate a tree's likelihood of failure and the consequences of that failure to people or property.
- What is tree topping?
- Tree topping is the indiscriminate cutting of a tree's main branches and upper trunk back to stubs or lateral branches without regard for the tree's structure or health.
- What is turf-type tall fescue?
- Turf-type tall fescue is a deep-rooted cool-season grass species valued for drought tolerance and wear resistance in Connecticut lawns.