Adding landscape lighting is a valuable addition to your landscape. Not only is it functional in that it adds safety and security, but it also brings your landscape to life with aesthetic appeal. One of the most dramatic ways to add light to your landscape is to use trees. For some great ideas, here are 5 ways to incorporate outdoor lighting in trees in Croton, NY.
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1. Uplights for Drama
Uplighting means the light fixture is placed in the ground beneath a tree and shines upward to bring attention to the textures of the trunk and the canopy. This is a bold and dramatic look that adds interest. However, you don’t want to limit yourself to uplighting because then your outdoor living space can end up looking too brightly and harshly lit. Be sure to place the lights so that the fixtures are unobtrusive and the beams of light don’t blind people enjoying the patio.
2. Downlights for a Moonlight Effect
We all love the look of moonlight filtering through tree canopies and casting interesting shadows on the surfaces below. Downlighting achieves this effect by placing a light fixture in the canopy (about halfway to three quarters of the way to the top of the canopy) and orienting the beam of light downward. This approach provides a more romantic ambiance than uplighting. The only drawback is that you don’t want to use downlighting on trees that are centrally located, such as in the middle of a patio, because a wire must be run up the tree trunk. For aesthetic purposes, wiring is best hidden, so use this effect on trees that are on the perimeter of the property or trees where you don’t see the back side.
3. Silhouette Lighting for Interesting Shadows
If you have a tree that is against the home or a solid fence, use two spotlights aimed at the tree, with the wall or fence behind for a more subtle shadow effect. One spotlight will create a stronger shadow; this is a great option if you have a particularly interesting tree trunk, such as a gnarled old oak. Be sure to place the lights so that the fixtures can’t be seen and do not shine in people’s eyes.
4. Tree Ring Lights
This is a versatile and innovative approach that uses a ring of lights that are placed facing upward at the base of the trunk, or downward from the canopy for a unique downlighting effect. Tree ring lights usually include 4-6 bulbs that can be positioned in multiple ways for a variety of effects.
5. String Lights
Create a chandelier effect by using string lights. Dangle a series of string lights vertically from the tree’s branches so that they hang down toward the ground. The lights can remain mostly within the canopy or hang below the canopy for a willow-like effect during the day and a wonderfully unique look at night.
String lights are a fun way to create seasonal ambiance and, because they’re portable, you can change up the look anytime you want. However, they tend to be short-lived and the bulbs or the entire string must be replaced often. The key to proper landscape lighting is that it should be subtle while still achieving the desired effect. It should be soft and skillfully placed to give just the right amount of illumination without creating a sports stadium effect after dark.
Talk to the lighting specialists at Manzer’s to design and install an outdoor lighting scheme that will make the most of your landscape and create the right ambiance after dark!
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