Praise be to Allah, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and his companions.
As to what follows:
With regards to answering your question we say, success is by Allah Almighty.
Many people imagine Laylatul Qadr as the night wherein the sky becomes clear and wide, and they see visions and manifestations that are not seen on ordinary nights. Nothing of this can be affirmed to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), as it also cannot be affirmed to his family, companions, tabieen and salaf. So there is nothing established or true regarding the characteristics of Laylatul Qadr.
There are some sayings transmitted from some salaf saying that: trees prostrate and that there is light which is seen on that night and cannot be seen on other nights. These thing maybe be seen or correspond to laylatul Qadr but they are not prerequisites of that night. Not only that, but the only sign that can be affirmed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) is the one mentioned by Muslim in a hadith reported by Ubay Ibn Ka’b that:
“Its indication is that the sun rises bright on that day without rays.”
This is the most authentic from what has been narrated. However the scholars have differed on whether these signs continue on each night of Qadr or they are only sings which appeared on the night of Qadr of that particular year. This issue is not clear to many people.
In any case! Whether anything or not has been said regarding the night of Qadr, there are no signs accompanying it or preceding it but what has been mentioned are signs coming after its occurrence. That is to say after the night has passed the sun rises bright on that day without rays.
The wisdom behind this is so that people will strive looking for it and will also put great effort in order to attain the virtues of this night.
Does this mean that whoever doesn’t see the light, trees prostrating or things that some narrators said regarding this night hasn’t witnessed laylatul Qadr?
The answer is NO. Laylatul Qadr is witnessed by whosoever performs qiyam (stands in prayer and supplication) with iman (faith) and being hopeful of Allah’s reward. This person will get its virtues whether s/he has seen any sign or not.