Uplighting Trees with FX Spots Without Hotspots on the Trunk

Place the fixture far enough from the trunk that the beam hits branching structure, not a bright oval of bark. For many residential trees that means three to six feet out, adjusted for fixture optic and lumen package.

Two lower-lumen FX spots often beat one bright flood. Cross-lighting fills shadows and keeps the viewing angle interesting from the patio.

Watch for windows. A mis-aimed uplight bouncing into a bedroom will get disabled by the homeowner within a week — usually by unscrewing the lamp, not by calling you.