Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
the witness shady trees

The Witness: Shady Trees Laser Puzzle Walkthrough

It has to do with shade.
This article is over 8 years old and may contain outdated information

Getting the Shady Trees Laser trophy will require you activate the laser hidden behind the orange-bathed gates seen in the game’s own PS4 title screen. Heading to the large orange grove, you’ll find the locked gates and a pathway heading away. Follow this until you reach a logging house near a stream, across from the rock quarry. Make your way to the first puzzle, a simple trace panel on a wooden door.

Recommended Videos

Completing this will open the door and lead you to your first shade puzzles, pictured below. Here, you have to navigate to the end, avoiding the shade. If you notice, the completed door puzzle begins counting down once opened. It will close when the countdown ends.

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

The third puzzle, below, will be partially blocked by the door you entered through if the countdown completed. Head back over and open the door, then solve this puzzle before it closes again.

The Witness_20160127223206

Now puzzles will be obscured by various things that aren’t trees. Only mind the shadows of branches to complete them. This is the Shady Trees laser, not the Shady wooden beams laser.

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

The Witness_20160127223241

The Witness_20160127223305

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness
My personal favorite.

The Witness_20160127223415

After the puzzle above, follow the activated green pathway and you’ll reach a fork. Head right, and you’ll begin the on-shadow puzzles

Shady Trees Laser Trophy Puzzles Part 2

For this portion of panels, you’ll want to follow the shady trees, taking the path of the shadow to the end.

The Witness_20160127223519

The Witness_20160127223540

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

After this last one above, you’ll hear a mechanical noise. If you were to head back over to the orangey gates, you’ll see the left side has opened. Though you’re inside, you’ll need the other side of the gate open to complete the puzzle. To this effect, head back to the fork in the road and follow it to the right. There you’ll find the off-shade puzzles.

Shady Trees Laser Puzzles Part 3

For this half, you’re once again avoiding the tree shade. Most of the puzzles are blocked in some way, and you’ll have to learn the paths by observing the light patterns on other objects. Below, you can see half of the puzzle’s light is on this orange… something.

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

This next puzzle is also covered by orange somethings. You can see the maze patterns on the coverings before you zoom in to complete the puzzle.

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

This one below has half its maze on the orange cover to the right.

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

This next one actually has a panel that’s leaning more rightwards than usual. Observe the pattern on the orange board to the left, then complete the puzzle shifted two blocks to the right.

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

Half of the light for the puzzle below is on this tree. Memorize it, and then head downwards to complete the maze.

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

This puzzle is a mess. The light pattern can be found sprawling across this rock.

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

None of the appropriate light made it onto this panel below.

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

The last puzzle is also spread across wooden beams.

shady trees laser trophy puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

shady trees laser puzzle solutions shadow panels the witness

Complete the last puzzle above to open the gate fully. Head back over to the orange woods and you’ll see this puzzle. Each half of the puzzle follows the rules of the puzzles used to unlock it. On the right side of the board, you’ll need to avoid shade, and when crossing over to the left side of the board, you’ll have to follow shade.

The Witness_20160127231722witness

Finishing this puzzle will activate the Shady Trees laser, and earn you a gold trophy.

The Witness_20160127232333

For a video walkthrough of the puzzle, in case you like motion, check out our YouTube guide below.

For more The Witness guides, be sure to check out our constantly expanding wiki of puzzle solutions.

More The Witness


Twinfinite is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Ishmael Romero
Ishmael Romero
Just a wandering character from Brooklyn, NY. A fan of horrible Spider-Man games, anime, and corny jokes.