Oaks are beautiful trees that deserve recognition.
Here in the Clearwater and Tampa Bay area, we take pride in our tropical foliage, especially our palm trees. However, there are many other types of trees that thrive here, and they are especially beautiful too. (Just maybe not what people think of first when they someone says “Tampa Bay”.) Chances are, you probably have an oak tree on your property. You may have a few of them. Oak trees have been iconic trees for many years. They appear in myths and legends and are frequently represented in art and literature. With their deeply textured bark, lush foliage, and gnarled branches, it’s not hard to see why. Oak trees carry with them an ancient, primal beauty that is striking, and if you have them in your landscape, you really should highlight them. There is no better way to do this than with outdoor lighting.
Uplighting highlights the bark, gnarled branches, and foliage of this old oak.
Because each oak tree is very unique and many are extremely old and large, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Clearwater & Tampa Bay uses special techniques to light them. First, we place fixtures around the bottom of the tree being especially careful to illuminate the angles from which the tree will be viewed most often. Fill lights can be added if beam spread is insufficient to cover the tree and dark spots occur. We illuminate oaks from the bottom up – a technique called uplighting. Because of the unique shape of trees and more area to light at the top than the bottom, this lighting technique provides optimal lighting for viewing the textures of the trunk and the colors of the foliage. Even after foliage falls during autumn, the unique, gnarled structure of oak branches is quite striking and benefit from uplighting.
Moonlighting creates beautiful pools of light and shadows on the ground.
A special tree lighting technique that works well with oak trees is called moonlighting. Moonlighting involves setting fixtures within the tree’s branches so that the light beams shine down on the ground below. This technique creates exquisite shadows on the ground, mimicking full moonlight shining down from above, and provides good, functional light for a fire pit or patio area. However, if you want to see the structure of the tree, we will need to add uplighting as well.
Just because oak trees aren’t the first tree that pops to mind when our area is mentioned doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bring out their beauty if you have them. If your oak trees are hidden and shrouded by shadows, call Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Clearwater & Tampa Bay. We can bring much deserved notice to these regal giants, so they can contribute to the ambiance of your landscape.
Robert van der Putten, Owner
Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Clearwater & Tampa Bay
727-785-6000 or 813-237-0340