Solar Garden Tree Spotlight

Uplighting a tree or a wall changes a garden after dark more than any number of path lights. A single beam climbing a trunk gives the whole yard depth and a focal point. The trouble with most solar spotlights is that the trees worth lighting often stand in shade, where a built in panel would never charge. The Solar Garden Tree Spotlight solves that by separating the two. The light goes where you want the beam, and the solar panel goes where the sun is.

That clever split is what makes it such a good landscape light. You can light the shady tree, the north facing wall or the corner under the eaves, all without a single wire to the house.

What makes the tree spotlight stand out

The separate panel comes first. The solar panel stands on its own stake, up to 9.8 feet away on its cable, so it can sit in open sun while the light sits in the shade. The panel measures 3.2 by 5.4 inches and stands 10.2 inches tall on its stake.

The independent adjustment is the second strength. The light head tilts through 180 degrees and the panel turns through 90 degrees, each on its own. That means you can aim the beam straight up a trunk, across a wall or into a canopy, and still turn the panel to face the sun. A fixed unit will not let you do that.

The two ways to mount it are the third. The spotlight takes a ground spike or a wall screw, so the same light works in a border or under an eave. On its stake it stands just 6.1 inches tall, with a head 2.3 inches long and 1.5 inches across, so it hides easily among plants by day.

Where it looks best, around the garden

• Trees in shade. The light sits under the canopy while the panel sits in the sun.
• Garden walls. Aimed up the wall, it adds texture and depth.
• Under the eaves. Screwed to a wall, it washes the facade with light.
• Shrubs and hedges. A low beam brings out the shape of the planting.
• Garden sculptures. A focused beam turns an ornament into a focal point.

Warm white suits bark, brick and planting, while cool white gives a crisp, modern look on pale walls and silver foliage.

Choosing the placement

The best effect comes from placing the light close and aiming it upward.

• Set the spotlight a foot or two back from the tree, wall or sign you want lit.
• Aim the head upward so the beam climbs the surface.
• Place the panel on its stake in open sun, within reach of the 9.8 foot cable.
• Turn the panel toward the sun once both are in place.

Charge it in full sun for a full day before the first night. Then check the beam after dark and fine tune the angle, since small changes to the head make a big difference to how the light falls.

On a wall, screw the light under an eave or beside a door with the included fixings, and run the cable to a sunny spot for the panel.

Layering it with other lighting

A tree spotlight is an accent layer. It gives the garden a focal point, while path lights handle the route and wall lights brighten doors. The contrast between a lit tree and the soft darkness around it is what makes a garden look designed at night.

For more aimable lights, the outdoor spotlights collection has other styles, and the landscape lighting collection covers path and well lights for the rest of the yard.

Two spotlights on a large tree, from different sides, light it more evenly and bring out the full shape of the canopy. On a small tree, one is usually enough.

Seasons change the effect. In summer, the beam lights a full canopy of leaves; in winter, it picks out the bare branches, casting a lacy pattern of shadows on nearby walls.

For care, wipe the panel clean with a soft damp cloth so it charges properly, and wipe it again every few months. Do not point a hose directly at the panel seal.

Because the panel and light are separate, the layout is flexible. If the tree grows and shades the panel, move the panel stake to a new sunny spot without touching the light at all.

A house sign or a garden gate can benefit too. Screwed to a wall beside the entrance and angled across, the spotlight lights the sign or the gate for arriving guests, while the panel sits on its stake in the nearest sunny patch of lawn.

Is the tree spotlight right for your garden?

It is a strong fit if you:

• Want to uplight a tree or a wall that stands in shade.
• Like a light that can go in a border or on a wall.
• Want to aim the beam and the panel separately.
• Want no wiring to the house.

It is not the right choice for a spot with no sun anywhere within 9.8 feet, or for bright security lighting, where a flood light would suit better.

Shipping is free across the US, and most orders arrive in 6 to 9 business days. Buy 2 or more items and save 10%. Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days, and questions are answered at info@norafurnish.com.