Tree lighting
Public & Outdoor – correctly illuminating trees and palms outdoors
In landscape architecture, trees are important elements for designing spaces and enabling orientation. If properly lit they can also perform these tasks at night. Well thought-out tree lighting creates visual axes in the dark and conveys safety. Because the shape and size of the tree crown varies according to the type of tree and
season of the year, choosing the right LED lighting is not always simple. We provide helpful tips for lighting design using projectors and ground recessed luminaires, and show how you can impressively illuminate different types of trees and palms from below, above or from the side.
Lighting trees perfectly: what you should know
Which luminaire is the right one?
Ground-recessed luminaires as well as projectors and floodlights are suitable for illuminating trees. Projectors and floodlights can be flexibly positioned with a ground stake while the luminaires remain visible. When the tree grows, the distance to the tree can be simply adapted. Ground-recessed luminaires on the other hand are inconspicuously integrated into the ground. If fitted with appropriate mounting enclosures vehicles can even roll over them. They can however become covered with leaves or snow according to the season. Since they are fixed in one place in the ground, they cannot be moved as easily as projectors with a ground stake.
Select the correct light distribution for the shape of the tree
PLUXTUS lighting tools offer up to ten different light distributions with state of the
art LED technology-for all types of trees and methods of lighting. Narrow light distributions such as narrow spot (approx. 8°) and spot (approx. 10°-20°)
are ideal for accentuating.
The narrow spot distribution (approx. 8°) is ideal for tall plants with a small crown, such as palms, or for large lighting distances. Wide distributions such as flood (approx. 30°), wide flood (approx. 50°) and extra wide flood (approx. 90°) are used for large-area lighting. This allows wide tree crowns to be displayed even from short distances. Oval beam angles such as oval flood (approx. 20° x 60°) are ideal for illuminating slender trees.
In the case of a large tree whose crown is to be illuminated in a planar fashion, it is advisable to illuminate it with three luminaires which, positioned at a distance of 120°, illuminate the crown from a greater distance so that the tree appears to be strikingly highlighted from all sides, even from a distance. If on the other hand the crown of the tree should be illuminated from below or the trunk should be accentuated, positioning the luminaire below the crown of the tree, or else close to the trunk, is recommended. Find suitable accessories for any mounting situation—for example cross-arms, ground stakes and extensions.
Luminaires with precise light beams without spill light are decisive for impressive lighting concepts featuring high levels of visual comfort. PLUXTUS lighting tools have pan-and-tilt mounting to ensure that light only reaches where it is needed.
PLUXTUS outdoor luminaires are also dimmable to ensure responsibility towards the environment.Depending on the ambient brightness, even low illuminance levels of approx.50lx are sufficient for a tree to be viewed as sufficiently bright. Also think about how to adjust the lighting when deciduous trees lose their leaves. For example, you could align the light to the tree trunk or even switch it off during this period.
Outdoor luminaires must be able to withstand adverse weather. A high protection rating is therefore required. All PLUXTS projectors, floodlights and wallwashers have an IP65 protection rating, which means they are dustproof and protected against jets of water from all directions. Ground-recessed luminaires have an IP68 protection rating. This means the luminaires are also protected against the consequences of continuous immersion in water.
Trees can be uniformly floodlit with projectors. The ideal inclination angle (α) for this is approximately 30°. Arrangement: α = 30°. A floodlight mounted at the front makes the treetop appear uniform.
To illuminate a tree crown with a diameter of approx. 5m from a distance of 3m, a projector with 12 watt LED module and extra wide flood (approx. 90°) light distribution is suitable
Trees can be uniformly floodlit with projectors. The ideal inclination angle (α) for this is approximately 30°. Arrangement: α = 30°. The illumination created via luminaires positioned on the sides creates a distinct three-dimensional effect.
To illuminate a tree crown with a diameter of 5m from a distance of 5m, a projector with 12 watt LED module and wide flood (approx. 50°) light distribution is suitable
For uniform floodlighting of trees, projectors with an inclination angle (α) of approx. 30° with three floodlights at 120° intervals around the tree is best.
Trees can be uniformly floodlit with projectors. The ideal inclination angle (α) for this is approximately 30°. Arrangement: α = 30°. If the tree is backlit, the tree's silhouette is visually emphasized.
To illuminate a tree crown with a diameter of 5m from a distance of 3m, a projector with 12 watt LED module and extra wide flood (approx. 90°) light distribution is suitable
Identifying the right luminaire for any distance
A short lighting distance to the tree requires very wide light distribution. Narrower light distribution is needed with increasing distance to avoid spill light to the left and right of the tree crown. To achieve 50lx on the tree, a 12W LED module is sufficient at a distance of 3m and 24W at a distance of 20m.
