NiteLites, a Greenville Outdoor Lighting Business, examines a variety of lighting applications specifically for trees, hedges, and bushes. Shapes, sizes, and density of the tree canopy determine the position, strength, and color of the light beams.
Trees with an open structure can be lit close to the base so that the light illuminates the interior of the branches. Trees with a more dense limb structure should be lit from outside the canopy so that the light shines on more of the tree.
High-pressure sodium lamps (abbreviated HPS), mercury vapor, metal halide, and fluorescent lamps should be avoided when lighting landscapes. The wavelength of the light they emit can disrupt natural growth patterns, weakening trees by making them more susceptible to injury. Others may require special care because of their dangerous gases. Instead, use energy efficient low-heat, high-quality outdoor LEDs. Well engineered outdoor LEDs not only have superior color hues, but also are safely designed to last.
It is important to watch out for aimless or errant lighting (also known as lighting pollution). Don’t waste the energy you put into lighting your landscape with misdirected lights shooting off into open the sky. Above all, make sure to place your lamps so that they will not shine onto passing cars or pedestrians. Be sure to carefully assesses nearby paths, streets, and the houses of neighbors to this end.
These fixtures are a quick way to add drama to any landscaped garden. Position intense and narrowly focused lights at the base of trees or a trellis. Although flood lighting is very compelling, it should be used sparingly on focal points of the lighting design.
This effect can be very appealing as the object is lit from two sides. When done correctly, this not only highlights the feature but also softens it at the same time.
To illuminate from the top of a tree down. This creates a softer suffused light which can also known as moonlighting if done in a certain way. Down lighting may be used to create soft or sharp shadows. This type of lighting is also great for illuminating parking areas as well as walkways to increase safety and security.
If you have a tree or a statue with a striking profile in front of a wall or other surface, shadowing may be a very elegant way to add some drama to the exterior of your home or business. Your designer will either place spot lights low in front of the object to create shadows and depth or to achieve a very dramatic shadow, they may elect to place the fixture high above the focal point.
The opposite of shadowing, this outdoor lighting technique can be very dramatic. Lights positioned behind and below the object to create a spectacular silhouette.
If you’ve invested in landscaping your garden with flowerbeds and low shrubs, you’ll want to enhance its nighttime appeal with spread lighting. Carefully hidden in low lying landscaping and ground cover, your focus will be on the beauty of the variety of textures and patterns of your plants rather than on the source of the light.
This technique is effective on medium to large trees, placing one or two low voltage lights onto the second or third tier of branches. By angling the light, a romantic moonlight effect is created in the foliage above. On the other hand, when lights are angled down, a completely different subtle dappled effect is created on the ground – and this is also known in the industry as moonlighting. A colored mercury vapor lens can add to the softness and romantic feel.
If a canopy of branches covers your garden, lighting designers may create up lighting by placing a light at ground level and angling the lamp upwards. The illuminated branches will reflect a soft glow onto your garden, patio, or deck.
NiteLites of Greenville Outdoor Lighting business plans, installs, and maintains their high-quality lighting systems. NiteLites partners with local Greenville electricians when new power sources are required for lighting a remote area. This lighting company also retrofits existing systems with their outdoor LEDs for the best application of light. Their team of lighting professionals also repairs a variety of electric light fixtures.