How to Uplight Trees and House Walls: Choosing Spotlight Wattage and Beam Angle
Short answer: use a 5W spotlight for shrubs, flower beds and small trees, and a 10W spotlight for tall trees and large house walls. Choose a narrow beam for narrow subjects and a wider beam for broad canopies and open walls. QDot X Style fixtures come with a 36° beam lens, with 18°, 60° and 120° lenses available separately.
Step 1: Pick the wattage
| Fixture | Best for | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| X Style 5W Spotlight | Shrubs, flower beds, small trees, architectural accents | 5W |
| X Style 10W Spotlight | Tall trees, large facades | 10W |
Add the wattage of everything on one transformer and keep the total at or below 80% of its rating. See the transformer size guide.
Step 2: Pick the beam angle
The beam spread lens decides how wide the light spreads. QDot X Style fixtures include a 36° lens. The interchangeable beam spread lens is available in 18°, 36°, 60° and 120°, so you can change the look later without replacing the fixture.
| Lens | What it does | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 18° | Tight, focused beam | Tall, narrow trees, columns |
| 36° (standard) | Medium beam | Small and medium trees, shrubs, wall accents |
| 60° | Wider wash | Broad canopies, open wall sections |
| 120° | Very wide spread | Wide, low features and broad washes |
These pairings are general lighting practice, not a rule. For reference, VOLT's published guidance for its own fixtures suggests narrow beams for narrow features like columns and tall, narrow trees, and wider beams for open wall spaces and large, wide trees (voltlighting.com). Try a lens at night and adjust.
Step 3: Place and aim the light
- Trees: put the spotlight a few feet from the trunk and aim it up at an angle, so the light grazes the bark and fills the canopy.
- House walls: place the fixture near the base of the wall and aim it up to wash the surface.
- Test at night: set the fixtures with the cable laid on top of the ground, turn them on, and adjust aim and distance before you bury anything.
Step 4: Color temperature
QDot kits use 2700K warm white. The X Style fixtures are also offered in 3000K. Pick one temperature and use it across the yard so everything matches.
Which QDot kit fits tree and wall lighting
| Kit | Spotlights | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | 5 × 5W, for front yard trees, shrubs and house facades | $299 |
| Pro | 6 × 5W plus 2 path lights with 36° Beam Lens | $549 |
| Ultimate | 6 × 5W and 3 × 10W plus 2 path lights with 36° Beam Lens | $699 |
Every kit includes a Smart Switch for phone ON/OFF, schedules and remote control, and works with Alexa. All include a Wire Stripper. Compare them on the DIY landscape lighting kits page, or read how to install one.
Warranty
QDot fixture bodies have a lifetime warranty and LED modules have a 5-year warranty. Fixtures are IP67 waterproof rated. See the warranty page for the full terms.
Questions about your yard? Email sales@qdotlife.com.
Frequently asked questions
What wattage spotlight do I need to light a tree?
QDot's 5W X Style spotlight suits shrubs, flower beds and small trees. The 10W X Style spotlight is for tall trees and large facades.
What beam angle should I use to uplight a tree?
QDot X Style fixtures come with a 36° lens, with optional 18°, 60° and 120° lenses sold separately. As a general rule, a narrower beam suits a tall, narrow tree or a column, and a wider beam suits a broad canopy or an open wall. VOLT's published guidance, for example, suggests narrow beams for narrow features and wider beams for open wall spaces and large, wide trees.
Can I change the beam angle on a QDot spotlight?
Yes. The beam spread lens is interchangeable on X Style modular fixtures. Choose 18°, 36°, 60° or 120° without replacing the fixture.
How far from the trunk should I put an uplight?
A common approach is to place the spotlight a few feet from the trunk and aim it up at an angle, so light grazes the bark and fills the canopy. Adjust the position at night until it looks right.
What color temperature should I choose?
QDot kits use 2700K warm white. The X Style fixtures are also offered in 3000K.
Which QDot kit includes 10W spotlights?
The Ultimate Kit ($699) includes 3 X Style 10W spotlights, 6 5W spotlights and 2 path lights with a 36° Beam Lens, plus a 300W transformer.