According to the NEC®, is it permissible to mount luminaires directly to a tree?

Mounting luminaires directly to a tree is not permissible according to the National Electrical Code (NEC®). The NEC provides specific guidelines regarding the installation of electrical equipment to ensure safety, maintain reliability, and prevent damage to both the equipment and the environment.

When luminaires are installed, they must be secured to structures that are designed to support them, such as buildings, poles, or other stable supports. Trees, while they may appear to provide a good mounting point, can be unstable and are subject to movement due to wind, growth, or decay. Additionally, attaching fixtures to trees could damage the trees or interfere with their health and growth.

Furthermore, the NEC emphasizes that any electrical installations must adhere to safety practices that prevent potential hazards, such as electrical shorts, fires, or electrocution. Therefore, adherence to the NEC requirements means that luminaires need to be installed on permanent and secure structures rather than natural entities like trees.