LED trees are a new type of holiday lighting technology. Trees from New Year's garlands How to make a light tree

This creation was inspired by watching the movie Avatar. Remember the fluorescent trees that filled the night with colorful light, indescribable beauty.

Surely you have seen trees made of beads, man-made creations that are an analogue of natural beauty, less susceptible to the influence of time. The advantage of such trees is faster growth and the ability to set a unique shape, accurately recreating a mental image.

Not so long ago, “eternal flashlights” appeared on the market, in particular, devices with LEDs and solar batteries.

We combine the above, and together with diligence we can get a glowing beaded bonsai that looks like this:

In the dark,

at night.

Manufacturing technology

Collecting energy for recharging can be done in one of two directions:
1) Placement of photodiodes in tree branches;
2) Install one solar cell next to a tree.

Creating a tree.

It all depends on your imagination, skill and diligence. For the example given, it was necessary to purchase about 60 meters of copper wire with a diameter of 0.3 mm and 2160 beads with a diameter of 3 mm. The beads can be anything, but in my attempt to recreate the effect of leaves, I used transparent green, 80 grams.

The very first stage, we make branches with leaves.

Next, you need to create a strong frame of wire with a diameter of about 2 mm; this will be the tree trunk. When placing LEDs on branches, leave a margin of length, as shown in the photo. This will be more convenient for further assembly. A supply at the roots is also required to assemble the circuit.

Installing the LED on the branch frame:

If you want to use photodiodes placed on branches, then the design will look like this:

I used branches with photo and LED lights and five branches of leaves. To create a natural effect, we place dark photodiodes in the center, and the LED at the beginning of the branches with leaves, this will allow them to illuminate the entire branch.

One finished branch:

Half finished tree:

The same thing, in the dark:

Now you need to hide the electronic filling, there are many options: solder the roots, thread it through the holes, press it down, etc. In this case, holes were made in the bottom of the pot, roots were passed through them, and after placing the electronics, the container was filled with decorative stones.

Pot with pebbles:

The electronic side of the issue
BPW34 photodiodes were used, if you decide to use this direction of energy supply, then you need to use about 10 pieces together to ensure charging of the lithium-ion battery. We place them in the branches and lead the wires to the roots.
Due to their “in-foliage” location, photodiodes cannot operate at full power due to the light flux reduced by the leaves.

Consider another solution to the energy supply problem. Keychains with solar panels have been sold in stores for a long time; their price is not high.

LED keychain flashlight with solar battery:

At the first stages of the calculation, it was assumed that a capacitor would be used as the main battery. But when I used solar cell from the keychain, I felt sorry for leaving the remaining parts of the keychain out of use, including lithium ion battery at 3.7V and 40mAh. Using these parts made it easier to recreate the circuit.

Scheme:

If you use BPW34 photodiodes, then you need to use blocks of 10 series-connected photodiodes assembled in parallel.

The solar cell is connected through diode D1 and resistor R9, which allows transistor Q1 to play the role of dimming the LEDs based on the illumination information coming from the solar cell. Thus, the backlight turns on only in the dark and does not take power during the day, allowing the battery to charge. All that remains is to assemble the LEDs and resistors connected in series to them.

When hiding electronics with rocks, leave the solar cell uncovered, otherwise it will not work.

List of materials required for creation:
2160 beads (approx. 80g)
60 m of copper wire with a diameter of 0.3 mm
1 bonsai pot
8 super bright green LEDs 3mm 8000mcd
1 a solar panel(or 10 BPW34)
1 lithium-ion battery 3.7V 40mAh
2 m copper wire about 2 mm in diameter
8 resistors 1 kOhm
1 resistor 1MOhm
1 diode 1N4148
1 transistor BC327

P.S.:
Such glowing trees will be a great decoration for your windows and interior, bringing a little magic into your life.

It’s completely in vain to remove the glowing garland after the winter holidays. There are a lot interesting ways decorating your home interior with it.

1. Place a garland around the edge of the mirror of some interesting shape.

2. Wrap paper lanterns and garland around a branch and hang above your bed.

3. Create a cascading light by decorating the garland with large bulbs.

4. Create an original tree from a garland.

Draw an outline on the wall, drive carnations around the perimeter and wrap a glowing garland around them. As easy as pie!

5. Attach photos to the glowing garland using clothespins.

6. Create your own canvas with a pattern of glowing lights.

7. Thread the garland into flower baskets or place it directly there.

8. Fill wine bottles with lights to effectively illuminate them from the inside.

9. Create an angel wreath using paper napkins.

Using wire cutters, form a round snowflake holder and wrap it with an electric garland with small bulbs. Then glue decorative snowflakes onto the holder.

10. Or use napkins to make a wedding wreath.

Just make small holes in the napkins and thread lights through them.

11. Cover disposable cardboard cups with unusual paper; this will help create interesting light shades using an LED garland.

12. Crochet a glowing rug using rope and garland.

13. Decorate your Christmas garland with tulle bows.

14. To create a festive mood, decorate the garland with old ornaments.

15. Create colorful balls of twine and decorate them with glowing garland.

16. Make flaming snowflakes using store-bought bouquet holders.

17. Intertwine a rope with a garland for a nautical-themed room decor.

18. Create a network of glowing garland in your bedroom.

19. Hang air clouds with a dangling glowing garland.

The photo shows a two-dimensional version of the cloud.

20. You can also use egg cartons to create a floral effect.

21. Write a letter-by-letter message on pendant lights.

Make letters by punching holes in the paper.

22. Create a romantic headboard.

Shoot down a layup wooden frame and add traverses. Drill small holes and insert rosettes into the bottom of each niche. Paint the frame and screw it to the wall. Fill each niche with garland and connect it to the outlets. Cut transparent panels from polycarbonate sheets and attach them to the frame using fasteners.

23. Use glitter wrapping paper to create giant glowing candies.

Required materials and tools:

• disposable plastic container with lid;
• electric garland;
• scissors;
• wire or pipe cleaners;
• wire cutters;
• multi-colored wrapping paper;
• scotch.

Preparation method:

1. Cut a piece of wrapping paper measuring 45x45 cm from the roll.
2. Wrap the garland with wrapping paper. Don't forget to leave both ends of the garland outside in order to connect it to the network and connect the element with other candies.
3. Place the wrapped garland in a plastic container and seal it. Wrap the container in wrapping paper and secure with tape.
4. Using pipe cleaners or wire, shape the container with the garland into a candy shape.
5. Decorate the entire garland in this way, leaving free space (20-40 cm) between the links.
6. Connect the finished bunch of candies to the network.

24. Insert lanterns into tiny preserving jars.

Take special lids with a hole for the garland. Close each jar with a lid and insert a garland light bulb into it.

25. Insert an LED string light into an old toy.

You will need:

• old toy (made of cotton fabric);
• PVA glue;
• brush;
• scissors;
• threads;
• light garland.

Preparation method:

26. Write a light message.

27. Arrange the glowing garland in a wave-like pattern.

28. Cut out black cat shapes to make this cute garland.

29. Wrap the garland around a wire wreath.

Probably one of the most simple options creating homemade wreaths.

30. Light up the canopy over the bed with garland.

31. Cut the paper into strips to create the same fringed lanterns.

32. Use foil from a muffin tin as a garland decoration.

This is a great idea for any party.

33. Create sparkly decorations with mirrors and lighting.

Take:

• brushed aluminum rod;
• hooks for hanging;
• a garland with mirror pendants;
• electric garland.

Instructions:

1. Attach the rod to the wall using two hooks.
2. Hang a mirror garland on the barbell. To enhance the visual effect, you can trim some of the threads with pendants so that the finished curtain is of different lengths.
3. Stretch a string of lights behind the pendants and connect it to an outlet.

34. Use twigs to create a rustic chandelier.

This idea can easily be implemented with a luminous garland.

Take:

• dry branches;
• hemp twine;
• stain (optional to darken the color of the wood);
• wood color paint;
• lamp sockets with a removable cardboard cover for painting;
• plastic ties;
• glue gun;
• electrical cable black and white;
• black electrical wire with fork;
• Branch squeezes "nuts".

Instructions:

35. Make a garland of geometric lanterns.

You can make your own lanterns from black wire or natural straw.

Illuminating trees is one of the most popular techniques landscape design. It simultaneously brings aesthetic pleasure and allows you to illuminate the garden area at night. There are several methods for illuminating vegetation: using lamps and spotlights located on the ground, attaching LED garlands to trunks, and creating LED trees. We’ll talk further about how to make an LED tree with your own hands.

How to use backlighting correctly?

Depending on the result you want to get from lighting the trees, one or another lighting method is chosen. In order for luminous trees for the street to look beautiful, you must adhere to several basic rules:

It is best to place the spotlights on the ground at some distance from the tree at a slight slope;

You can use several spotlights at the same time different types lighting: halogen and LED;

for not too tall trees and bushes, lamps that are screwed into the ground, which can also be moved from place to place, are perfect;

lamps can also be installed on a tree trunk, directing the light upward - this will allow the light to be scattered between the foliage;

creating glowing tree with your own hands you need to take into account the density of foliage, the height and diameter of the plant, as well as its shape;

For overhead lighting, halogen or LED lights installed on nearby buildings;

In order for the plantings to cast a shadow on a vertical surface, spotlights are installed behind them at a great distance.

Application of LED garlands

If you want to create an LED tree with your own hands from an existing plant, then you just need to attach LED garlands on it that connect to electrical network. Such garlands are divided into fruits, which look like large lanterns, which are located far from each other, and leaves - small light bulbs, located very densely (see photo). Submitted LED lights trees has many advantages, which include efficiency, long service life, resistance to low and high temperatures, atmospheric precipitation. With its help, trees can be made either monochromatic or multi-colored.

Self-created

Now let’s look at how to make LED street trees from scratch. First of all, I would like to note that luminous plants can be very diverse. This includes an LED sakura tree, palm tree, maple tree, and a variety of spruce and pine trees. So, the stages of work to create a luminous tree are as follows:

Tree diagram

First of all, the future plant must be drawn on a piece of paper, where you also need to indicate its height, diameter, length and number of branches.

Creating a trunk

The tree trunk is created very simply - just take a metal-plastic pipe and cut it to the desired height (see photo).

Construction of the frame

From wire of different thicknesses it is necessary to cut the required number of thick, medium and thin branches, and there should be as many of the latter as possible. For ease of installation, all branches are bent in the shape of the letter “L” and attached to the trunk.

Working with LEDs

Resistors are soldered to the LEDs, after which they are isolated. To do this, take electrical tape and a tube of approximately the same shade. The diameter of the tube should be such that the LEDs fit into it without problems. An electrical wire is attached to each such element. Next, the LEDs are attached to the tree branches. In this case, the wires from smaller branches should be connected into a bundle and connected to the wires of thicker branches. As a result, all existing wires are soldered to the main wire and run inside metal-plastic pipe. At the same time, do not forget to isolate them.

Decorating twigs

In order for the glowing LED trees to look as natural as possible, leaves and flowers are cut out of plastic and taped to the branches with electrical tape, and the tree trunk is completely wrapped with brown electrical tape, as, for example, in the photo.

Tree installation

In order for the luminous plants to be stable, they are placed in a barrel, beautiful pot or any other container hidden in the ground. And in order for them to begin to please the eye, it is enough to connect them to the electrical network.

More detailed information on how to make LED trees with your own hands can be seen in the video presented.

Driven into cramped apartments, we have little opportunity to express our imaginations in the external design of buildings or adjacent areas. But at the dacha or in country house You can give free rein to your imagination and sense of style. You should not think that the joy of imagining and showing your creative abilities is available only to rich people and is feasible only on large plots. This is wrong.

Of course, on small area, most which is occupied by a vegetable garden, there is less opportunity to turn around, but it can also be decorated with just a few touches so that those around you will simply gasp. Landscape design provides especially many opportunities in this regard.

According to their purpose, outdoor lighting of the site is divided into four main types:

• security, creating the impression of the constant presence of the owners on the territory;
• functional – ensures safe movement around the site in the evening and at night;
• architectural - designed to emphasize and highlight the beauty of buildings or sculptures
• decorative – intended solely to achieve aesthetic effects.

It is decorative lighting that can turn your site into a fairy-tale kingdom that opens up to your eyes after dark. Moreover, often the area illuminated in the evening is strikingly different from the area that you are used to seeing during the day.

Darkness hides distances. But when proper organization With illumination, your plot of several hundred square meters can visually turn into a huge fairy-tale space, where there is a place for both adults who want to relax quietly and admire nature, and for children who are simply delighted with the opportunity to play in this mysterious garden.

There are many objects on the site, the illumination of which will allow you to achieve the desired effect.

These are primarily the following objects:

• garden paths and paths;
• flower beds;
• alpine slides;
• bridges;
• pond;
• picturesque bushes;
• large-sized trees.

Not every site has ponds, walkways or even gazebos. But there are many plants around that are invisible during the day, but very impressive if they are properly lit in the evening.

If you are seriously concerned about the decorative lighting of the area, then the work usually begins with organizing the lighting of the paths. On the one hand, it’s beautiful, and on the other hand, it eliminates the need to walk around the area with a flashlight. Even weak light sources located along the paths will allow you to move in all directions without the risk of running into the nearest bush or stepping on a flowerbed.

After designing the paths, you can start lighting the plants. Don't get too carried away with hanging lanterns and light bulbs. In terms of decorative lighting, it is better to “under-light” than to over-light.

Even before you start lighting, you should carefully study the area and everything that grows on it. It is necessary to outline lighting objects and carefully consider the issue of correct and safe lighting. Still, the danger of electric shock always remains.

People who have small children need to be especially careful when using light sources. It’s very difficult to explain to them why the wiring should never be touched, pulled or torn. In such a situation, you need to consider the possibility of using safe sources light, although this option may be more expensive.

Since street lighting operates in extreme conditions, it must meet certain mandatory requirements.

Among these requirements:

• reliable protection against voltage surges;
• high degree of moisture protection;
• resistance to ultraviolet radiation;
• frost resistance (when using decorative lighting in winter);
• availability of a quality certificate;
• long warranty.

Practice shows that the best in this regard are electric lamps that use low voltage.

Most often, the following types of lamps are used for illumination:

• conventional incandescent lamps are an undesirable option, especially for constant use - they often burn out, do not like dampness and consume a lot of energy;
• LED bulbs– are perfect for outdoor use, consume little electricity, have long term services, environmentally friendly, easy to install;
• solar-powered lamps are quite expensive, but they are ideal option for parents of small children, since their installation does not require laying wires (although they do not shine for long - about 3 - 4 hours).

All these lamps are presented in several types:

• ground lights of various sizes and shapes;
• rack-mount lanterns with shades of various shapes, installed mainly along paths and to mark the boundaries of various areas;
• hanging lanterns that can be attached to various supports, walls, or hung on large trees;
• outdoor sconces - you can’t particularly illuminate plants with them, because they need to be mounted on the wall;
• floodlights – can be installed directly on the ground or suspended from supports;
• LED garlands with bulbs of various sizes.

The choice of lamp and its location depend on what effect you want to achieve:

• If your goal is to demonstrate the beauty of a plant trunk, its texture and strength, then you should use a spotlight installed on the ground almost near the trunk itself. It needs to be directed from bottom to top. It is better to use white light.
• If you want to emphasize the beauty of a dense deciduous crown or coniferous tree, then it is better to install the spotlight on the ground, but at some distance from the tree. One lamp will not be enough, it is better to use three, then the tree will “show itself” in all its glory.
• In order to emphasize the beautiful silhouette of a shrub or large tree, the light source must be placed behind the plant.

• Internal lighting located in the center of the bush will allow you to show the most interesting branches or other fragments of the tree, leaving most of the crown in the dark.
• You can also use lighting from above using a lantern on a specially installed support.
• In order to create the effect of the airiness of a tree, it is necessary to fix the lamps on the branches, while directing them into the crown.
• For illumination from below of small plant forms, flower beds and alpine slides You can use ground lamps with adjustable light flow. LED or halogen devices are very good for this purpose.

• To illuminate small plants, “spike” lamps are available for sale, equipped with a sharp wedge that is simply stuck into the ground. True, they are not used constantly, but only at the right moment (for example, during a party).

Garlands made from are very diverse and are widely used in lighting design. They are divided into two types: “fruits” - garlands with fairly large, but sparsely spaced lights, and “leaves” - garlands with very small, but often spaced lights.

LED sources are perfect for illuminating trees, as they are quite durable, weather resistant, and have beautiful light, can be various forms and flowers.

Other types of landscape lamps

If you don’t want to put a lot of effort into organizing the lighting, then you can simplify the task and purchase decorative products of various types specially made for these purposes:

• figures that glow in the dark - will not provide much light, but will allow you to outline the contours of plants or paths;
• illuminated “stones”;
• ordinary cans, on the walls of which there is a pattern, with a light bulb inside - this is an option for temporary use;
• beautiful bottles with an LED strip placed inside.

Thus, it is possible to decorate the site in a completely budget way, corresponding to any tasks.

Bushes and trees glowing in the dark are a new fashionable trend in lighting technology. Such lamps not only fulfill their main function - illuminating the streets at night, but also decorate the city, emphasizing the features of the general atmosphere and placing the necessary accents.

Glowing trees for the street - “useful” splendor

LED trees can be installed almost anywhere, but most often such unusual lamps are displayed at the entrance to a cafe, shopping mall, restaurant, cinema, boutique, etc. Thus, they become the very attractive highlight that lures visitors to these cultural places.

Glowing bushes and trees are very similar to real ones; they completely imitate the shape of their prototype plant. The metal branches of the LED miracle are covered with artificial bark, and life-size plastic or silicone leaves and flowers are attached to them. Small single-color or colored LEDs crown this entire structure.

Such ornamental trees can operate from the network, but more often they are equipped with an autonomous power supply, which makes the design somewhat more expensive.

You can, of course, simply decorate an ordinary tree with an LED garland (for example, you can use ), but the effect will not be good enough. What are the advantages of using LED trees?

The photo shows glowing trees against the backdrop of a winter landscape:

Advantages:

• Durability, these lighting serve for at least five years;
• Artificial trees do not require the maintenance that real trees require;
• A small amount of electricity consumed, even to illuminate the largest giants requires a maximum of 700 W of energy;
• Easy to install, you can easily do without the help of specialists;
• The design is resistant to low temperatures, high humidity and dust;
• If one or more LEDs burn out, the rest of the lamp continues to light, but the LEDs are easily replaced with new ones;
• Properly selected bushes and trees can favorably emphasize the landscape design and become part of the overall decor. Of course you can just use regular ones Street lights for the dacha. You can see the options with photos.

You will find all the information about outdoor wall-mounted waterproof LED lamps.

Types and costs

We said that such trees need to be selected wisely, therefore, the conclusion suggests itself that there are a huge number of their species. LED trees can be of different colors and shapes, their size ranges from 0.8 m to 5 m. They are often installed as New Year's decorations.

Palm trees

These exotic trees are usually made to be at least 2 meters tall and can be painted in any color. More simple models made in such a way that the trunk smoothly transitions into spreading branches and its structure and color are identical to the crown. In more expensive palm trees, the texture and color of the pillar is close to natural wood, and the leaves completely repeat the shape of the real ones. Similar lamps may also differ from each other in the number of branches, the thickness of the trunk, the presence or absence of artificial nuts or fruits. Palm trees are most popular in sanatoriums, boarding houses, hotels and other recreational areas, because they successfully create an atmosphere of sultry fun and the freshness of the sea breeze. The average price of luminous palm trees is 50-160 thousand rubles.

Find out what street ground lamps are.

Willow

The weeping willow, glowing in the dark, gives lovers the opportunity to enjoy a date under a spreading tree at any time of the day, without taking their enchanted gaze off each other. This wonderful lantern can give a park or square an extraordinary romantic atmosphere, illuminating long alleys and cozy benches. Here, flexible long branches are attached to a massive trunk, dotted with small leaf-shades, glowing white or any other color of the rainbow. Prices for willows range from 16 to 50 thousand rubles.

Fruit trees

For spring to bloom 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, it is enough to install outdoor LED lights in the garden, country house, or just somewhere on the street. fruit trees. Peaches, apple trees, cherries, apricots, pears will delight others with their lush flowering shades of lilac, white or pink. On such trees, flowers and fruits are made in life size and look like the inflorescences and fruits of real plants, like twin brothers. The cost of such lamps depends on the chosen tree, its size and the number of branches. This amounts to 12-80 thousand rubles.

Read also about ground LED lamps.

Maple

Stars glowing in the dark can be found not only in the sky, but also on the LED maple tree illuminating a square or park. Five-point silicone or plastic leaves different sizes on mighty branches - a good solution for decoration public place, and the paths are visible, and the view is pleasant. The price range of maples is 15-50 thousand rubles.

Sakura

This tree can be placed in a special category, since sakura is especially popular. Such trees are especially beautiful; they can transform a simple everyday environment into a fairy-tale kingdom. The branches of these trees are covered either with special high-strength plastic or aluminum alloy, and are designed in such a way that they closely resemble the real thing.
The lantern is strewn with large silicone flowers and leaves, and their density and shape seem to be copied from real Japanese sakura. Although such trees are made in small sizes, but they provide no less light than tall palm trees and spreading willows. The color scheme of sakura LEDs is very soft and delicate in gold, white, pink and purple tones. They cost like this oriental beauties from 5 to 80 thousand rubles. The fairly high prices for luminous trees are largely due to the price of LED street lighting lamps (more details) that are used in their manufacture.

In the photo - glowing sakura:

How to make a glowing tree for the street with your own hands

1. Draw detailed diagram. On a sheet of paper, draw a sketch of the future tree to scale, marking with numbers its height, the length of the branches, the number of luminous elements on each of them and other necessary dimensions.
2. We measure the trunk. Cut off part of the required height from a metal-plastic plumbing pipe or any other pipe - this will be a tree trunk.
3. We make a frame. Cut from wire required amount medium branches and many smaller branches. Bend them into an "L" shape so they can be easily tied to the base. Using black or black electrical tape Brown fasten the small branches to the medium ones, then use the same adhesive material to tape the latter to the trunk.
4. Let's move on to LEDs. Armed with a soldering iron, solder resistors to the LED. Keep in mind that the latter have two legs - one longer, the other shorter. Make sure that all LEDs are soldered either only to the extended or only to the shortened contacts of the resistor. To protect against moisture ingress good decision will become .
5. We isolate the LEDs. Take an insulating tube, the color of which matches the shade of the electrical tape, and the diameter is sufficient for the LED to easily fit inside it. Cut the tube, taking into account that the soldering point and the resistor itself should be hidden from the observer, but at the same time it is necessary to leave a place for connection to the power wire. Place the tubes on the LED bulbs and lightly heat them with a lighter so that the insulation completely envelops the parts.
6. We attach the LEDs. Wrap each of the LEDs on small branches to the wires according to the polarity and wrap them with insulating tape. Now connect the wiring from small branches to the wires of medium ones, one wire per branch. We connect the bundle of resulting wires again so that all the pluses are together, and the minuses, accordingly, are connected exclusively to each other. The resulting bundles can be immediately soldered to the main wire and run along the trunk, or you can first thread the wires from each branch into pre-drilled holes in the pipe, connect them to each other and solder them to the main wire so that it is subsequently located inside the pipe. Do not forget to observe polarity, and then insulate all exposed conductors. It will help ensure uninterrupted operation in any weather conditions.
7. We decorate the branches. Using leaves and flowers cut out of plastic, decorate the resulting tree, carefully wrap all branches with electrical tape, bringing them as close as possible appearance wood-lamp to natural.
8. We install. The basis for the resulting tree is a barrel, a large pot, a container hidden in the ground, etc. Install your luminous structure into it and connect it to a power source.

Such a tree will especially delight you, like everything that is done with your own hands. You can do many useful things for your site, such as.

The video shows how to make a small glowing spruce. Using the same principle, you can make any other tree:

LED tree, made with your own hands is an excellent opportunity to create a fairy-tale forest yourself, guided only by your fantasy and imagination. At the same time, money is saved. But if you are not very good with a soldering iron or do not have free time, the best way out is to purchase a ready-made representative of the LED flora.