Now is the time of year to gather free scale leaves and sticks.Gather a bushel of the stuff that falls from oak trees.
Rub it between your hands and he get free leaves (all over your shoes if your not careful)
You can also use these with cheap, clear hairspray and a little paint to make vines and undergrowth in the forest.
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Thanks for the idea, Rich. I tend to overlook the free real stuff outside.
Art
Reminds me of when as a kid I would collect the dry green Mimosa leaves and rub them between my hands to make grass for my Christmas garden. It looked pretty good but it was big time labor intensive.
Jerry
Nice. Cheap, that's for sure. And plentiful.
Today I pick up a bag of oak droppings from my front lawn. I did so with caution because of a previous experience that did not work out to well for me and my layout. I will share it with you and seek your guidance.
Several years ago when I was actively selling my products (Westport Model Works)
at train shows there was another dealer from I recall Texas who was selling small plant branches that could be tied into trees. I believe they were also from a weed. The results were excellent and I created several dozen trees that looked great. For a bout one year every time I met up with her I purchased another bunch of the "tree" material.
One July day when I ventured down into my layout it looked like it had snowed on my trees. Although I followed her directions on washing and spraying The trees were attacked by a mold or fungus that suddenly decided to bloom. I tried to wash them in cleaning solutions to no avail and had to destroy them.
My question is. Has anyone had experience using this material in an environment where it gets hot and humid in the summer? Also does it attract dust?
Les Lewis
Today I pick up a bag of oak droppings from my front lawn. I did so with caution because of a previous experience that did not work out to well for me and my layout. I will share it with you and seek your guidance.
Several years ago when I was actively selling my products (Westport Model Works)
at train shows there was another dealer from I recall Texas who was selling small plant branches that could be tied into trees. I believe they were also from a weed. The results were excellent and I created several dozen trees that looked great. For a bout one year every time I met up with her I purchased another bunch of the "tree" material.
One July day when I ventured down into my layout it looked like it had snowed on my trees. Although I followed her directions on washing and spraying The trees were attacked by a mold or fungus that suddenly decided to bloom. I tried to wash them in cleaning solutions to no avail and had to destroy them.
My question is. Has anyone had experience using this material in an environment where it gets hot and humid in the summer? Also does it attract dust?
Les Lewis
We have some "trees" that were cuttings from a hedge-like bush. We sprayed them with hair spray (the cheaper the better) which sealed them off, then sprinkled a little ground foam on them to enhance them. They've been on the club layout for years without a problem.
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