Creating Autumn Trees...and fall-ing miserably (vid fixed)

You're certainly not failing, you're showing more tree talent than me!

Trees are tough but you are certainly not failing...I think it came out pretty darn good.  I went with Super Trees and it works well, but I also want something a bit more robust on my 2 rail venture....

I think you are off to a good start. As your photo shows, Fall trees from a DISTANCE do not appear bright. Also, not all trees color at the same time, so keep half of them a dull green...this makes the ones turning stand out. Fall foliage is tough to do well. I've only seen a few layouts that pull it off without looking garish/artificial.

the WS kit is sedum. this make very good canopy trees.  I leave the buds on and treat with matt meduim solution then lightly airbrush green (for fall) and flock using Noch flakes or brand of your choice. Also airbrush a few yellow.  The coverage isn't complete so the brown is still "noticable"

there is nothing wrong with buds showing through a bit.  When used in background it will be fine.

for foreground I prefer to use sage or make armatures from wire or rope.

My problem is that, yes, I can make a tree as good looking as yours, using the same technique.  But they look good only if I take time, as i think you did, to do it well, including sometimes going back and putting "another layer" of "leaves" on it after it dries.    I've found I need several hundred to fill in a good forest and that would take too long - on the other hand buying that many, even at a volume discount, means my forest costs what a legacy or vision loco does.  Makes me think maybe I should stick to deserts!

ok, here's a "dumb" idea I've used with some success. but it depends on how much real estate you have to fill and how far it is from the viewer. it would also help if the terrain slopes up but that isn't a deal breaker. what I did was make some really good trees, using fosage dead sage, which look exactly like tree armatures and you can make them virtually any size (unfortunately you have to be out west in the mountains to find the stuff). add a very thin stretch out layer of green or black polyfiber (micro-mark sells a large quantity for a very reasonable price). then a layer of foliage. those "good trees become the first, maybe also the second row. behind those, as far back as you want, you install puffs of fiber/foliage mounted on a painted or stained dowel, a lollipop stick or whatever. you will not see the armature behind the good trees and it will start to take on the look of an adirondack forest, which if you look at the prototype from almost any distance, you cannot see the trunks or branches, just rounded green shapes. I even threw in a few puff balls without trunks, the way the HO guys do. that worked ok as well, but they are a little more messy to handle. if you are modeling the east coast forests, it is definitely worth considering, not to mention relatively fast and inexpensive. 

jerrman

Thanks for the input guys. Since the layout will be small and almost every tree visible, I won't get a chance to make canopies. I thought about the puff ball route, but again, decided against it because of the layout size. I did a youtube search and found a ton of videos. One in particular was about making fall trees by Scott Teague. From what I gather, Scott did some tutorials and some train shows. I need to follow up with a search on Scott to find more. It's a great video to watch and has lots of very insightful information on making fall trees. BillyboyWSL, who posted the video, has about 15 more videos in his play list that I will be watching. I found another video by a young man who used polyfibre on larger trunks, and they turned out pretty good. I have to find it again. Anyways, enjoy this video and I'll post more watch-worthy videos.

Ace:

What in the world is that thing with the portholes!?

Neil

Ooh! I know that one:

That would be a Super-O switch machine cover.   I guess his MOW crew must have a project further down the line. 

Very creative load!   But, you know, some of us need those. 

Did something actually play? I got nothing when I clicked?

Greg

Neither did I.  Says 0.00 seconds length . . .

Thanks, Pete. I would never have guessed! It looks like something that Captain Nemo would have made up for his island railroad.

Neil