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#24414 04/11/03 08:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 45
S
sanUK Offline OP
Member
Customer said he wants lights fitted around a huge tree in his grounds, its a "Wellingtonia" (Californian, redwood) i think, Im not a treeologist [Linked Image]

Its a nice huge tree over 200yrs old, and thought id post here if anyone has any suggestions for what light fittings to use/or has done a similar type of job.

I suggested positioning the lights say about 10 - 15 m out from the tree, shining up, but customer wants the lights under the tree shining up.

Ive had a look at a few Lighting manufacturers websites and found a few nice fittings. But i thought id post here to see if anyone has any suggestions.


thanks

#24415 04/11/03 08:28 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Member
sanUK,
If you put the lights directly under the tree, they will only light up the lowest of the branches.
I'd personally go with your own idea, but bear in mind that you are probably going to need narrow beam spot fittings.
How tall is the tree?, I used to live next to one of these trees and they get pretty big.
I don't think that the customer would want it lit right to the top, would they?.
One other thing, is to make sure that where you position your luminares, that they will not annoy any of the nieghbours, there is nothing like a bright light shining straight in your bedroom window, especially if it is not yours!.
Hope this is of some help.

Mike Trump.

#24416 04/11/03 08:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,457
E
Member
Two words...lighting designer. When I am unsure of something like this I find a pro. That way I don't screw up and I learn something for next time. Option 2: Gasoline and a match.

[This message has been edited by Electricmanscott (edited 04-11-2003).]

#24417 04/11/03 09:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 45
S
sanUK Offline OP
Member
Quote
sanUK,
If you put the lights directly under the tree, they will only light up the lowest of the branches.

Yep this is what was annoying me, its not that thick with branches at the base, but the light would obviously get blocked at some point on the way up.

Quote
How tall is the tree?, I used to live next to one of these trees and they get pretty big.
I don't think that the customer would want it lit right to the top, would they?.

Im bad at estimating from memory, but as you say "Pretty tall" say 35 -40 ish Meters [Linked Image], The way he was talking i think he does.

Quote
One other thing, is to make sure that where you position your luminares, that they will not annoy any of the nieghbours, there is nothing like a bright light shining straight in your bedroom window, especially if it is not yours!.
Hope this is of some help.

No chance in that, as he has a huge garden, should have said he lives in a mansion.

Quote
I'd personally go with your own idea, but bear in mind that you are probably going to need narrow beam spot fittings.

Yep was looking on THORNS website and will suggest to him either the "Pinspot" or "Sunspot" luminare, also will suggest housing each luminare in one of their Ground recessed boxes which look nice.

Thanks for the input.

Quote
lighting designer
I will ask lighting manufacturer for suggestions, but as Trumpy said will need a narrow Beam. And ive found a few fittings that look good solutions.


[QUOTE].Gasoline and a match/QUOTE]

Now that would be cool [Linked Image]

#24418 04/12/03 03:08 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Member
sanUK,
Just a short couple of points to also consider, regarding lighting up a tree.
You will need pretty big spot fittings to illuminate a tree of that size.
I would take Electricmanscott's advice and get a professional lighting designer, some of them specialise in Garden lighting and know(or should)the in's and out's of a job like this.
One final thing, do you guys in the UK have a problem with moths hanging around lights at night?, if you do, be aware that they will stick to the glass of a higher powered spot light and COOK, they make one helluva mess, too!, might wan't to sell the guy a BBQ spatula, with the lights!. [Linked Image]

#24419 04/12/03 07:04 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
I had to do the same thing for trees at a Private school.

A lighting designer was used he picked the fixtures, and before we buried anything we went in at night and temped them up.

Now with them on and sitting on the ground we moved them around until the designer and the customer was pleased, marked the locations and installed to that.

A few went under the tree, most of a different type were 30 to 50 feet from the base of the tree and some up in the tree.

Quality fixtures for this are not cheap, the ones we used were made of machined aluminum with "O" ring seals, much like a "Mag Light" flashlight.


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#24420 04/12/03 10:27 PM
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 362
Member
Hadco well lights. 150w Par 38 flood set under tree in the ground will work fine. have done the temparary thing mentioned. There also many low voltage well type fixtures. Check with your local lighting supplier. Some of them even have kits with the stuff already to go for an evening show with your customers.

Phil


Choose your customers, don't let them choose you.
#24421 04/12/03 11:15 PM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 482
Z
Member
I work with tree lighting almost everyday, but usually nothing this big, however, moving outward from the base of the tree with your luminaires will help.
Contacting a manufacturer was a great suggestion. Ruud lighting has an applications department. Try www.ruudlighting.com. They're a good company and very helpful.

-S. Cannon

#24422 04/12/03 11:32 PM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,081
T
Member
Question from this non-electrician-non-arborist:

How do you deal with tree roots when digging for conduit, etc? Might the tree be damaged?

#24423 04/13/03 07:27 AM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 642
N
Member
TG
use an ax
Tree roots are a pain in the a**. and a severe pain in the pocket book if you try to dig and route conduit around them.


ed

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