When it comes to designing a great landscape lighting project a well-lit tree can take the project from “nice” to “wow!”
The selection of which tree to illuminate is very important. Not all trees are created equal when it comes to capturing a superior lighting effect.
Tall trees with few branches can look “ok” but can almost look like illuminating a utility pole. They are not nearly as stunning as lighting a river birch tree or dogwood. What is the difference? Why does one tree look awesome while the other is rather bland?
A smaller tree, such as a Japanese maple, can look great in lights. Capturing the object of illumination at eye level can create a nice effect. This type of tree typically has colored leaves which look pretty in light. It has dainty branches which creates many interests points to reflect illumination.
Creating an ideal lighting effect doesn’t happen by accident. It means using the right level of intensity. Too bright and the tree will become washed out. Too little light and the lighting effect will be weak. It is critical to use the proper beam angle to fully illuminate the tree. If the beam spread is too narrow the attention will be focused on the interior trunk and not the overall look of the tree.
If the tree is not too wide one well-placed fixture will be sufficient. However, if the tree is rather wide then more than one fixture will be needed. Typically the fixtures will be placed about equal distance from the trunk. There isn’t a hard and fast rule on fixture placement since each tree is different.
When it comes to lighting trees there is a big difference in approach for lighting pine trees vs. hardwood trees. Generally, when lighting hardwood trees the fixtures are placed at the base of the tree not far from the trunk. When illuminating a pine tree, such as a blue spruce, the approach is different. Placing the light too close to the tree will create a concentration of light or “hot spot”. The fixture must be placed far enough from the tree to enable the light to fully engulf the tree. When done properly it can look dramatic but if the fixture is too near the branches the overall effect can be worse than no light at all. When lighting a pine tree remember that as the tree grows the light will also need to be moved back as well.
As you consider landscape lighting at your property make sure to think about your trees. When done properly they can turn a nice lighting job into an awesome lighting project.
