Case Study 04
Tree Lighting
A specimen tree — olive, palm or deciduous — sculpted from below at night.
The design challenge
Reveal the shape and canopy of the tree against a night sky without over-lighting the leaves and without hot spots on the trunk.
Interactive demonstration
Interactive 3D preview of the configured lighting scene. Drag to orbit, scroll to zoom.
Why this works
- 01A single narrow uplight 400–600 mm from the trunk defines the canopy silhouette. Wider beams flatten the tree.
- 02For large canopies, two 24° uplights at 120° around the trunk model the volume without ringing the ground.
- 032700 K keeps foliage looking natural against a cool night sky.
Common mistakes
- ×One wide flood at the base — lights the ground more than the tree.
- ×Aiming straight up — hot spot on the underside branch, dark canopy above.
- ×Cool white on foliage — leaves look grey and dead.
Technical reference
Values are educational reference points, not specification. Every project requires site-specific analysis and product photometric data.
Luxitecture recommendation
Under-canopy in-ground fixtures with adjustable knuckles and glare shields. For moonlighting, add a downlight high in the canopy — the effect is dappled shadow on the ground, and it is unforgettable.