Lights in a tree

Merry Christmas
Status
Not open for further replies.
F

finster1

Member
Location
New Jersey
Can I install floodlights in a tree by a pool. Cant find section of code other than temporary christmas lighting for 90 days. I'd like to install a set of floodlights by a swimming pool and use the tree as a support for a luminaire, I was planning on running plastic non metalic conduit up the bark.

Licensed Electrical Contractor NJ
 
NEC 2008 310.36(G)

Outdoor luminaires and associated equipment shall be permitted to be supported by trees.

FPN1: see also 225.26
FPN 2: see also 300.5(D)

See also 680.8 Overhead Conductor Clearance
See also 680.10 Underground Wiring Locations
See also 680.22(C) Luminaires, Lighting Outlets, and Ceiling-Suspended (Paddle) Fans

I don't see why you can't do it on a tree. But I personally don't like the practice and try to use other methods.
 
finster1 said:
Can I install floodlights in a tree by a pool. Cant find section of code other than temporary christmas lighting for 90 days. I'd like to install a set of floodlights by a swimming pool and use the tree as a support for a luminaire, I was planning on running plastic non metalic conduit up the bark.

Licensed Electrical Contractor NJ
Click to expand...


680.22 (B)(1) would be the code for pool lighting. But I'm pretty sure its safe to say that tree is more than 5' away from the pool... :grin:
 
stickboy1375 said:
680.22 (B)(1) would be the code for pool lighting. But I'm pretty sure its safe to say that tree is more than 5' away from the pool... :grin:
Click to expand...

There is no 680.22(B)(1) in the 2008 NEC. The (1) has been removed and (B) is for GFCI Protection

What year are you referring to?
 
BackInTheHabit said:
I don't see why you can't do it on a tree. But I personally don't like the practice and try to use other methods.
Click to expand...

Its usually okay if done correctly, I use stainless steal fasteners, threaded rod/lag combo's to space the pvc off the tree, never use 1 or 2 hole straps...
 
personally I dont think that it would be a good idea because what about when the tree grows , would'nt that eventually pull any conduit or connections apart
Im just saying its a bad idea.
 
LawnGuyLandSparky said:
No. Trees don't grow from the bottom or the middle. They grow from the top.
Click to expand...


They don't grow outward from the middle? Then how do they get a new ring with each year of growth?
 
infinity said:
They don't grow outward from the middle? Then how do they get a new ring with each year of growth?
Click to expand...

They increase diameter over the entire length, they only grow taller at the top. :)
 
iwire said:
They increase diameter over the entire length, they only grow taller at the top. :)
Click to expand...


OK, so why wouldn't an increase in diameter be considered growing?
 
infinity said:
OK, so why wouldn't an increase in diameter be considered growing?
Click to expand...

Here is what I saw


personally I dont think that it would be a good idea because what about when the tree grows , would'nt that eventually pull any conduit or connections apartI
Click to expand...

Then the response which I agree with, and almost posted myself

No. Trees don't grow from the bottom or the middle. They grow from the top.
Click to expand...

The light fixture will not move up and therefore will not pull the on the raceway or cable.

Given enough time the tree might start to grow over the raceway but it will not pull it apart. :)
 
iwire said:
Here is what I saw




Then the response which I agree with, and almost posted myself



The light fixture will not move up and therefore will not pull the on the raceway or cable.

Given enough time the tree might start to grow over the raceway but it will not pull it apart. :)
Click to expand...


Bob, I agree with your observations. I was merely commenting that a tree will grow upward and outward, (not just up). If I ran a rigid conduit system up a 12" diameter oak tree from underground I would have to assume that the base of that tree will also grow and that eventually the conduit will have to go somewhere. In a number of years that will be a 24" diameter tree and the conduit at it's base will have to move 6" or more. More than likely it will eventually snap off at ground level or somewhere. Although this may take a long period of time but it still can happen.:rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
So here.

So here.

Here's a question. I had to run a trick in my Uncle's backyard to deter deer. He is a gardening fanatic. Last couple of years, the deer ate him out of house and home. I did the whole perimeter in SOW. With the short summers we have up here, the cords were only in place for about three months. I wish I had the ability to do some of the drawings some of you others have posted. You would of thought I was protecting the home, not the garden.
"Buzz" bulbs, motion sensors, whole nine yards. It worked well for about a month. Guess who came back to dine:roll: They are pretty smart animals, I give them that.

I see this no different than entertainment services, am I wrong?
 
I was always under the impression that you couldn't use any type of vegitation to support electrical conduit or wiring (like festooned lighting draped from tree to tree). Was that ever written into the NEC and dropped in one of the code cycles that I missed ?
 
infinity said:
More than likely it will eventually snap off at ground level or somewhere.
Click to expand...

I am no tree expert but from my observations it's more likely the tree will encase the conduit as it grows, not push it out of the way.

I have seen that happen with hardware and fence posts.

But again, I am no tree expert. :)
 
goldstar said:
I was always under the impression that you couldn't use any type of vegitation to support electrical conduit or wiring (like festooned lighting draped from tree to tree). Was that ever written into the NEC and dropped in one of the code cycles that I missed ?
Click to expand...

Although I disagree with that chapter with fixed raceway, it is allowed.
 
goldstar said:
I was always under the impression that you couldn't use any type of vegitation to support electrical conduit or wiring (like festooned lighting draped from tree to tree). Was that ever written into the NEC and dropped in one of the code cycles that I missed ?
Click to expand...

You can hold up a light with a tree, but you can't use the tree to support overhead spans. :)
 
Last edited:
225.26 prohibits using vegetation as a support for overhead spans.

410.36 allows fixtures and 'associated equipment' to be supported by trees
 
Anything that comes up out of the ground that is held solidly to a tree will eventually be surrounded by the tree, not pushed aside by it.

Haven't you guys ever seen a 50-year old fence along a farmer's field that isn't cleared on a regular basis?

012706035.jpg


Picture1014.jpg


DSC00185.jpg

​
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top