Another try at bottle brush evergreen trees- 8-11-16 update.

Very nice post. How do you attach the twine to the wire?

Thanks John. Rather than try to explain in excrutiating detail by words alone, may I refer you to "youtube bottle brush trees." There are many videos demonstrating various devices and methods of twisting wire to bind the twine fibers to the wire trunk.  The videos also demonstrate the techniques of trimming the fibers, painting, flocking and a host of other creative ideas.  I recommend watching a bunch of them.  You can fast forward to skim through common procedures and get to the pearls after you get the general idea.  One obvious thing about trees is that the front row can be as detailed as your talent will take you, but the background trees can be less detailed especially around the trunks.  I am not well practiced at this, but it is an enjoyable way to listen to a night ball game on the radio if you don't have anything else to do. LOL    

Thank you. I will check that out.

Love it when the 'experimenter' in us kicks in!!.......

I like your last material....the rope fibers.  And, yes....I'd spray them a dark green and sprinkle on some fine green turf while the paint is wet to give some texture to the 'needles'.

Micro-Mark once sold a bottle brush tree-making package.  The made-in-China package of fibers were actually boar bristles.  Very consistent, straight, good strength...and there must have been a bazillion fibers in that less-than-$10 package!!  But, since MM doesn't sell these anymore, I'm not sure where you'd find them now.  Anyone have a suggestion along that line? 

Since the inclination when making these is to make them all perfect conical Christmas-tree quality, the 1:1 world of conifers growing in the wild suggests otherwise.  An old article in another magazine...Model Railroader, I believe...discussed varying the bristle length, having gaps in the tree form, some brown, dead branches, nearly void of branches at lower level (as if the tree were crowded out by a more shady, aggressive neighboring group of arbors), etc., etc., etc..

Also, some of our (LHS) customers through the years have found that getting kids involved in making bottle brush trees is really efficient and fun for creating enough to plant an entire forest.  They could somewhat get an assembly line going on the repetitive steps.  

Show us your further experimentation results!

KD

I can appreciate the work going into the trees you're making.  I've seen some amazing results of modelers who make trees.    But I think I'll hit Michaels or one of those type stores for ready made trees.  I just don't have the patience, at the moment, to make my own.  

Where is there a good source for inexpensive bottle brushes that are large enough for O scale trees?

Mr. Harrison, I guess it depends on your definition of inexpensive.  I think we had a bottle brush back in the days when we were cleaning baby bottles but as far as cost, don't recall.  

BTW, my thread "Not quite a complete redo" has recent progress on my trees and other layout improvements if you are interested Randy.

I use old artificial Christmas trees (long needle type) that I pick up in garage sales ($4.00 or $5.00 for a complete tree).
I cut the tree apart with wire cutters and various lengths. Then shape the foliage with scissors to get the desired fir tree shape (I do with the needles face up).
After shaping the foliage aNd trunk I spray with a green paint.
After the paint dries I spray with a adhesive spray.
I place the tree in a large coffee can with the correct color powdered turf blend (not sure on what grade I used), put the lid on the can and shake.
After I open the can pull the tree out hit it against the can to get the extra turf off
Then I spray it with a flat clear, this helps keep the turf on.
To mount I drill a hole and hot glue the tree in place.
For me this looks good and I can get a forest of trees a a very low cost.
You could always glue small colored beads on of lights for the Holidays.

Just have fun.

RONH:  I have used the same method with wreath size evergreen branches to give a forced perspective on mountains years ago.  I like your idea about spraying with flat clear. Might do that as well. Adhesive spray is a thought I had as well. 

I found a product via Youtube, Natural Air fiber filters.  In addition to making some evergreen trees, am attempting to make a few hedge rows to separate areas around the layout instead of going with just fences to break up the scenes.  So far, I am pleased with the difference.

I purchased some of the above mentioned air filters from Amazon, but also have heard that Walmart carries the product, too.  

Gene Dickerson posted:

I found a product via Youtube, Natural Air fiber filters.  In addition to making some evergreen trees, am attempting to make a few hedge rows to separate areas around the layout instead of going with just fences to break up the scenes.  So far, I am pleased with the difference.

I purchased some of the above mentioned air filters from Amazon, but also have heard that Walmart carries the product, too.  

I saw that a while ago and it is a good idea, I have not tried ir yet bur will now that you shook my memory.
I believe the filter may be green too. You could always experiment with the process that I stated with the spay glue and the powdered turf and flat clear spay. I may try this and combine two colors of the turf in one can to see what I can get to enhance the bush or hedge.Sounds like fun.