The Japanese Maple Tree, with its namesake revealing its origin in Japan and widespread growth across East Asia, showcases an exquisite blend of slender, contorted branches.

Adorned with a vibrant assortment of leaves, Japanese Maples flaunt a kaleidoscope of colors, ranging from radiant reds, lush greens, and regal purples, to captivating yellows.

Despite their small size, these tiny wonders typically reach heights of six to ten feet and never fail to capture everyone’s attention.

Whether a Japanese Maple Tree is planted alone in a backyard, next to a water feature, or on the patio, it will always remain a beautiful focal point that you will never get tired of admiring.

Now you’re probably wondering – why light my Japanese maple tree?

Before we approach the question “Why light my Japanese Maple Tree?”, we must first tackle a bigger question: “Why light anything?”

The answer to why we light things is simple. We light things because they are intriguing – we want to look at them at night.

The Japanese Maple is a striking plant that catches everyone’s eye!

Adding light to its ornate twisting branches only helps add to its charm and makes it more attention-grabbing.

These trees have incredibly vibrant colors, so the goal should be to highlight them, not detract from them.

In the winter these trees shed their leaves, which exposes their intricate winding branches and the incredible patterns they grow in.

When these trees lose their leaves adding light creates an allure that is almost more beautiful to observe than when they still have their leaves.

Japanese maples need to be lit differently

When it comes to tree lighting, different practiced techniques can be implemented depending on the desired result.

The Japanese Maple is no exception.

Capturing its magic with light requires an understanding of how these trees behave and interact with light.

Naturally, lighting the tree’s core (also known as the trunk) is the first focal point. 

Knowing how each tree should be lit requires studying and understanding how the light will interact and play with the tree’s branches and leaves.

These trees, especially when they are young, grow low to the ground, in order to get a light low enough, a ground-level fixture (like a well-light) should be used.

In addition, a lamp with a 100 to 120-degree dispersion should be used on these low-growing trees to ensure that the entire tree can be captured.

For a larger and more mature tree, a bullet-like fixture can occasionally be used to direct light and target specific areas that require additional illumination.

It takes a practiced eye to understand how to effectively incorporate tree lighting into your outdoor lighting system.

It’s always recommended that you consult with your outdoor lighting professional – one who understands how to approach tree lighting and get the best results.

That’s why we’re here!

To learn more about how to light your Japanese Maple Tree call us at (801) 440-7647 to schedule a free consultation, or fill out a contact form on our website.