Incorporating lights under your trees as well as in and around your landscape completely changes the aesthetic appeal of your home. It can change it into a different visual stylish dimension. To wander outside at night and have the convenience of light is great, but to see your elegant landscape, tree trunk and canopy glowing is absolutely glorious.
Different types of tree and landscape lights
There are three most often used fixtures used in landscape lighting.
Accent lights are mounted in the ground on a stake, shining light upon a tree, shrub, sculpture, or architectural structure. They’re often referred to as “up lights.” Accent lights can also be mounted on a tree, fence, porch, or a wall, shining light down on a particular spot; these are called “downlights” when used like this. Accent lighting has different beam spreads, that range from a wide, narrow, or broad beam angle. You can also choose different brightnesses to create even lighting between objects lit from up close or those lit up far away.
Path lights are usually mounted on a riser with a top and shine a light down on a path or sidewalk. The risers are staked into the ground and come in many styles. They are the most visible fixtures in the landscape.
Well lights are a type of light fixture that is set up by digging 5 to 6 inch deep holes in the ground then placing the fixture in the hole which then shines up. The best places I find to place well lights are under small ornamental tree-like Japanese Maples ( Acer Palmatum), weeping cherry ( Prunus sp), or weeping Spruce trees (Picea sp.). Well lights are the most subtle lights to use.
How to set up the lights in your landscape
The first step is to purchase a transformer so that you can transfer power from a higher 120v outlet to a low 12v wire that is safe to run underground and outside throughout your landscape. Next, you need to determine which types of light fixtures you are going to use. Decide where and evenly distribute them around in the places you would like. From here it is a good idea to determine where you want your transformer attached. Any outdoor plug or outlet is fine but try to make it least conspicuous as possible. You can then run your 12 gauge wire from the transformer to all the fixtures leaving yourself a foot or two extra.
Now it’s time to connect all your wires by stripping and splicing them together. Make sure wires with white lettering go together and wires with ridges go together. Be sure to use a wire connector that has silicone so the wiring is completely waterproof. The next step is to take the light off then use a rubber maillot to pound the stakes in the ground leaving 1.5 inches sticking up to be covered with mulch. Next, dig shallow 5 to 6-inch trenches to place all the wires in. You can also use some stakes to hold or secure the wires down as well. Make sure to hook all the like wires together and plug them into the transformer
If you come to a spot like a sidewalk or a driveway that needs to go through or under you can do so. Just make sure you are in line with the transformer as much as possible. For a sidewalk, dig out both sides of it a few inches then use a galvanized pipe with a cap to hammer across under the sidewalk then remove the cap. If you have to cross a driveway use a circular saw with a masonry blade to cut a thin line across followed by placing the wire in the cut deep enough then patch it up with speed fill crack filler.
Landscape tree lights create safety and security
Safety:
Once you have landscape lights lighting up your property, it is much safer to go out at night to see where you are walking. They are placed alongside the walkways, driveways, stairs, or fences so everyone is less likely to trip, fall or bump into anything. Having landscape lights is way more exquisite than having a motion light or spotlight beam on you or your guests every time you walk past it.
Security:
Floodlights with a motion sensor are the lights that provide the most amount of security because when a person or animal walks past it, the light comes on, to light up a wide area. They also provide security by being able to look out the window from time to time and see throughout your property.
Party string lights
String lights are an awesome feature to add to the landscape as well. They have that relaxing amber hue that makes for a cozy calm environment. They can be strung up between the house to a tree. From a tree to a playhouse or across the porch or patio to anyplace you like to hang out outside
Conclusion
Tree and landscape lights are a nice way to spice up the visual appearance of any house, patio, pool, hot tub, structure, tree, or landscape. They make the creepy weary darkness of night come alive in a serene subtle manner. Next time you are up to it add some lights to the outside of your property. If you have any questions or comments please leave them below or shoot me an email.