What Does It Cost to Light a Tree in Hastings?
A single small tree with one uplight is typically £500–£900 installed. A medium tree with two or three fittings runs £900–£1,800. A mature specimen with four or more fittings, or a moonlighting head fixed high in the canopy, is usually £2,000–£4,500.
Please note: all prices here are estimated guide ranges for illustration only, not fixed quotes. Your actual price is confirmed in writing as part of a design visit.
Trees are the single best value item in most garden lighting schemes. One well-placed uplight on a good tree changes the whole view from the house — far more than the same money spent on extra path lights.
Cost by tree size
| Tree | Typical fittings | Guide cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small ornamental (up to ~4m) | 1 uplight | £500–£900 |
| Medium (4–8m) | 2–3 uplights | £900–£1,800 |
| Mature specimen (8m+) | 4+ uplights or canopy moonlighting | £2,000–£4,500 |
Uplighting versus moonlighting
Uplighting sits at ground level and throws light up through the branches — dramatic, sculptural, and the usual choice. Moonlighting puts a shielded fitting high in the canopy pointing down, so dappled light falls through the leaves onto the lawn below. Moonlighting costs more because it means climbing work and a cable run up the trunk, but on a large tree over a seating area the effect is unmatched.
What changes the price
- Canopy width. A broad, spreading canopy needs more fittings to avoid a single hot spot and a dark far side.
- Distance from the nearest power point. Cable runs across a lawn are straightforward; runs under an established border or a paved terrace are not.
- Fitting material. On exposed plots above the Old Town or along the seafront at St Leonards, solid brass or 316 stainless is the only sensible choice and adds to the unit price. Sheltered gardens inland towards Battle can use lighter specifications.
- Access for maintenance. Fittings you can reach are cheaper to service later — worth thinking about before anything is buried.
Light fewer trees, better
Three trees lit properly always looks better than seven lit thinly. If the budget is tight, pick the trees you actually see from the kitchen window and the terrace, and leave the rest for a later phase — the cable can be sized to allow for it.
See your trees lit before you commit
A design visit includes a plan showing which trees earn their keep and what each one costs, with a fixed itemised quote and no obligation.
Book a Design VisitTree lighting is also the easiest element to phase. Get the transformer and cable route right on day one and adding a fitting in two years' time is a short, cheap visit.
Related guideHow Much Does Driveway Lighting Cost in Hastings?
Hastings Garden Lighting Co.
