Tree Lighting Ideas for Your Memphis Landscape: How to Choose the Right Look

If you have trees on your property, you might be wondering how to choose tree lighting in Memphis. What techniques make the most sense based on the types of trees that you have and the layout of your property?

While every property is unique and deserves a customized solution, we want to share some tree lighting ideas to get you brainstorming.

Jump to:

• How to choose tree lighting in Memphis

• Popular lighting techniques

• Selecting which trees to light

• Choosing the best tree lights for Memphis yards

• FAQs about tree lighting

• Getting the most value from outdoor tree lighting idea

How to choose tree lighting in Memphis

There are some important considerations to keep in mind as you choose how to light the trees on your property.

Here are some of the key factors to keep in mind and why they matter.

Tree size and canopy shape

The size of the tree that you’re lighting and the overall shape of the canopy is going to affect what lighting techniques might work best. For instance, large mature trees with large canopies tend to look best with uplighting. This can create a sense of scale and produce dramatic shadows.

Tree species common in Memphis landscapes

Tree species also factors into what outdoor tree lighting ideas might work best. Trees have different shapes, bark textures, and seasonal characteristics based on their species.

Oaks, which are common in Memphis, work best with uplighting since they have massive trunks and dramatic features. But a Flowering Dogwood might be used as a specimen tree that you want to feature, so that would mean using accent lighting. In the spring, when in bloom, that’s going to be a property highlight.

Tree location within the property

The location on the property is another factor. If the tree is in the front yard, your goal is likely curb appeal and creating a focal point. But if it’s in the backyard, it’s more for personal enjoyment and creating an atmosphere.

The proximity to the house can also come into play. If the tree is very close to a home, you’ll want to make sure the tree lighting complements whatever architectural lighting you already have on the home.

Desired visual effect

The “look” of the lighting is also an important consideration. What are you trying to achieve and what fits your style? Personal preference also comes into play when it comes to landscape lighting.

Functional role of the space

Tree lighting is visually appealing and adds curb appeal. But it can also serve functional purposes. For instance, lights mounted in trees can be cast downward and used to light pathways and driveways. This is called “moonlighting” as the light being cast does mimic moonlight. It’s one of our favorite ways to light paths and make a front yard safer to navigate.

Popular lighting techniques

When it comes to tree lighting ideas in Memphis, you’ll find that there are multiple tree lighting techniques. Here are a few of the most popular.

Uplighting

The technique of uplighting is exactly what it sounds like. With uplighting, the light fixtures are mounted somewhere on the ground and the light is directed upward to light up your tree.

This is a great lighting technique on a tall tree and can really make a difference in your nighttime landscaping. With the light directed up the tree's trunk or at the canopy, it creates a dramatic and elegant effect.

Downlighting

Downlighting is a form of tree lighting in which the lights are installed within the tree (and as the name implies) cast the light downward.

Downlights are often installed high in the trunk of a tree or on a branch and then aimed at a patio or another outdoor living spot. It can be a great way to light up part of your tree but also to use the tree’s height to light up an area below.

For instance, we love using downlighting to light up a patio. It’s also a subtle way to light up a pathway or a driveway.

Bullet Lighting

If you have a really gorgeous specimen tree or maybe a beautiful shrub that you want to showcase, you can use bullet lights to highlight these individual features. It’s almost as though the landscape becomes art in these situations.

You are showcasing a beautiful tree that you previously could only enjoy during the daylight. Now that it’s lit up, you can enjoy it after the sun has gone down.

Silhouetting

With silhouette lighting, the light is placed behind a tree and cast toward a wall or other nearby surface. This has the effect of emphasizing the outline of the tree and also creating a dramatic shadow image on a nearby surface (like a fence, retaining wall, garage door, etc.).

This is a good technique for a tree near a wall or one that has an interesting shape. It works particularly well when the branch pattern is more interesting than the foliage.

Shadowing

This is the opposite of silhouetting in that the light source is placed in the front of the tree as opposed to behind it. This technique creates more artistic shadow patterns and can add interesting visual texture. It’s best for trees with intricate branches and textured or decorative bark.

Selecting which trees to light

Choosing which trees on your Memphis property to light up boils down to a few important factors. Again, every property is going to be unique. In some cases, there may only be a couple of trees, so the choice is simple. But if you have a property with many trees, you might want to be more selective.

A good way to narrow down which trees to light is to ask yourself: If someone were to look at my property during the day, which trees would I want to stand out?

For many homeowners, that’s often the largest trees, the most beautiful trees, and/or the trees that make a great focal point.

The visibility is also an important factor. If you have trees that a very hidden on your property (and would still be hidden with lighting), it simply might not be worth investing money into lighting them. For curb appeal, you’ll want to prioritize trees that are visible from the street and from your front entryway.

In the backyard, of course, this is a little different. You’ll likely want to light trees that are around your used spaces, such as around a patio, deck, or other seating area. You’ll also want to identify your “nighttime view.” What trees are visible from your interior windows? These might also make sense to light.

There’s always going to be personal preference mixed into the equation, so be sure to talk to your Landscape Lighting Designer about what’s important to YOU.

Choosing the best tree lights for Memphis yards

Tree lighting in Memphis and the surrounding region can be a little different than it is for other parts of the country.

For one, we deal with quite a bit of humidity and intense weather here. That’s why it’s so important to choose high-quality tree lights that can stand up to the toughest elements.

The all-weather outdoor lighting materials that we use have been installed in designs in Florida and other places that see flooding and other harsh conditions and it has proven to hold up. That means that you don’t have to worry about it holding up at your Memphis home.

While no lighting can claim to be 100-percent resistant to weather, this is probably as close as you’ll get. A storm is more likely to damage your lighting if a limb falls on it than for it to succumb to temperatures or water.

Of course, since accidents do happen, it always helps to work with an outdoor lighting company that also offers repairs and maintenance.

FAQs about tree lighting

Which trees should I light?

Focus on trees that get the most visibility from the street or your entryway in the front yard to boost curb appeal. In the backyard, look for trees that are around areas where you spend time or that are highly visible from inside of the home. You’ll also want to choose trees that are visually appealing.

What are some lighting techniques I can consider?

Some of the popular tree lighting techniques include uplighting, downlighting, bullet lighting, silhouetting, and shadowing.

How do I light a flowering tree?

The goal when lighting a flowering tree should be highlighting the blooms without overwhelming them. Flowering trees are sensitive to overlighting so the goal is usually softer lighting. The seasonality of the blooms is also a consideration.

Should tree lighting use LEDs?

Yes, because LEDs are more energy efficient, lower maintenance, and have overall better longevity.

Getting the most value from outdoor tree lighting ideas

As you can see, landscape lighting is so much more than just shining a spotlight on a tree or shrub. You want the design to be artistic and beautiful. That’s why you want to choose the best tree lighting service in Memphis.

We’d love for you to consider Mid South Outdoor Lighting & Audio.

In this article, we’ve shared just some of the ideas that can help you maximize the value of tree lights. But we’ll create a custom plan designed exactly for your Memphis property.

We know that helping you to get the most possible enjoyment out of your outdoor areas, comes down to attractive and functional lighting. And we are here to help.

If you’d like to talk about outdoor tree lighting ideas to incorporate at your Memphis home, we’d love to chat. We’re ready to help make your property even more stunning and enjoyable.

Are you ready to create a secure, functional, and beautiful property at any hour of the day? If so, let’s meet and discuss some bright ideas.