It’s the most wonderful time of year at Newfields. We are gearing up to welcome hundreds of thousands of guests through The Garden during Winterlights. For nearly a decade now, LML Estate Management has been a trusted behind-the-scenes partner in one of the most dazzling and talked about parts of it all: the lights!

Meet Scott Morris, co-founder of LML Estate Management (a Fairwood Brands company), and one of several creative and design experts behind the lights at Winterlights. Scott has been a part of Winterlights since its inception and knows Newfields inside and out. From the tips of each tree down to the electrical grid needed to run it all.

Landscape of Light at Winterlights.

Scott and his trained and licensed team (Jake, Noel, Jonny, Bryan, John, and Mason) are in the business of helping to bring the Newfields teams’ vision to life.

To support Winterlights, Scott and team wrap 14 large deciduous (hint: lots of branches) trees beginning in July. Just their part takes over 1,000 hours. That includes an enormous beech (Fagus grandifolia) tree near Lilly House, which is Scott’s personal favorite. He doesn’t know of a larger specimen in the state, and loves to hear stories of guests’ family memories by that particular tree.

For those looking to recreate a piece of the magic closer to home, Scott kindly walked us through his pro tips:

1. Hand-crafted is best
   
   Look closely. You’ll notice each tree trunk is wrapped about a hands’ horizontal width apart between each light string. That’s a handy tip as you plan for this year; it creates clean lines and a stunning effect.
   

2. It’s not just plug-and-play
   
   This time of year, we’re up close and personal with our trees, providing a great opportunity to assess their health too. Before even wrapping a tree at Newfields, Scott’s team will work with our certified arborists to check it for any signs of weakness, so there’s a sustainability aspect to the work too. If a tree needs a break for any reason, it will not be wrapped for the season. And if you’re wondering whether the lights stay up year-round: they don’t. This approach not only preserves the aesthetic outside the holiday season but also supports the long-term health of the trees.
   

3. Are you checking it twice?...
   
   You’ll need to understand your electrical needs for the number of lights you’ve got. There is no point planning something extravagant if the electricity can’t support it. And remember—LED take much less power than incandescent. By being more energy efficient, LEDs allow for more lights in a row. Win-win.
   
   Now don’t get too carried away…it’s important not to skip over the lights’ warning labels. Always read the instructions, and Scott’s tip here is all about common sense: invest in your success, and safety is key to a successful season. Nobody wants a circuit breaker to pop or too-hot lights when sacrificing quality for quantity.

4. Champagne adds subtle elegance
   
   When you pause to bask in the trees’ warm glow on our campus, one thing you might notice (pay close attention) is a special effect creating a two-dimensional sparkle. With champagne-colored lights added to the traditional bright white, it almost begs a second glance. This simple two-toned elegance can scale up or down to your needs.
   
   Scott says it’s not about outdoing a neighbor, but about staying true to your own likes and dislikes. The unique blend of tradition and innovation makes him so proud to support Winterlights over the years and keeps him coming back for more.
   
   

5. It’s all about the joy
   
   That leads us to our last point. Make it fun! It’s great family time and truly about gathering with loved ones to enjoy this special time of year. Don’t feel you need to do it one way or another.
   
   Scott recalled a unique project at one family’s home in Florida decorated and maintained by their partnering company, Signature Landscape, in Orlando. They created something truly special for their animal-loving grandchildren, going all out with sculptured topiaries and a light-up show to match. The effect? Unbridled joy, and a rip-roaring display.

Animal topiaries add a whimsical touch, accentuating landscape design and lighting by Signature Landscape Contractors (another Fairwood Brands company).

As Scott says, “I believe part of our purpose is to make a positive difference here on earth. What better way than to help people be in a happy place?”

Your first opportunity at a Winterlights presented by Bank of America sneak peek comes early in November this year. For the first time ever, we’ll switch on the lights during Harvest Nights presented by Everwise Credit Union and show off our two most popular festivals in one magnificent display. The Nightmare Before Christmas at Harvest Nights is on Sunday, November 2, presented in partnership with LML Estate Management.

Don’t get left in the cold, secure those tickets early and bundle up for a jolly good time: Winterlights runs from November 21, 2025–January 4, 2026.