Will Outdoor Artificial Light Harm My Landscaping & Trees?

With our long winter evenings, outdoor lighting in Orchard Park is as feasible as it is delightful. Though, a few tree specialists have raised unease that artificial light harms landscape & trees. Here is what you need to know about artificial lighting and how you can sustain healthy trees while increasing safety and displaying the attractiveness of your outdoor space.

The facts

Trees require light to exist. The duration of light throughout a day, the brightness, and the type of light all affect tree growth. Particular trees depend on a specific amount of daylight to grow, seed, flower, or do nothing. With autumn having little daylight, a tree will drop its leaves and halt growing. If some trees are glowing at night with particular colors, there’s a chance the tree will take this to mean that winter isn’t coming. They could miss dropping their leaves and get damaged from heavy snow. Even if the risk of damage is low, there are some things you can do to improve the health of your trees.

Be familiar with your trees

Artificial lighting doesn’t harm most tree varieties. Most evergreens, including pine and spruce trees, aren’t affected by any lighting. Some trees, such as flowering trees, might be more vulnerable to specific types of artificial light. Because young trees grow quicker, their growth cycle may be more disturbed by night lighting. A tree care professional can aid you in identifying which trees are more sensitive to artificial light and can create the right lighting plans for your outdoor space. Just look up “tree service near me” to find a local tree expert.

Zones and timers

Professional artificial lighting takes into account both safety and aesthetics. If you are lighting trees for visual appeal, consider making lighting zones and formulating the lighting to go off at a particular time. You can keep other parts, like doorways and walkways, lit for security and safety.

This not only reduces your utility bill but also minimizes any effect artificial lighting might have on nearby trees and shrubs. The bottom line is: if you want to bring some vibrancy to your foliage, light it up!