Makin’ Some Trees

John

Very Nice  !!!

Good looking trees John.

Incredibly well done.  While I am locked in on quarantine, you’ve inspired me to head down and make some trees. Thanks.

Really nice, John H, the results prove your efforts were well worth it. Handsome trees.

Very nice looking trees, I like your techniques.  Have you tried any of the Scenic Express materials for making trees.  They have an outstanding assortment.  Thanks for sharing.

I find making homemade trees to be one of the most enjoyable projects to do in creating a layout. And, the trees greatly enhance the appearance of the layout IMO.

The basic structures I use are natural and free of charge. They consist of looking for symmetrical tree branches when going for walks. Then, I do what John says he does: I use polyfiber glued on to the branches, and ground foam glued on to the polyfiber. The polyfiber and ground foam are products from Woodland Scenics or Scenic Express.

Some of my homemade trees are simply the tops of tall weeds.

Below are a few photos of my homemade trees:

Arnold

Thanks for the postings and especially pix plus descriptions of what you find to use for home-made trees. I've been collecting from large bunches of grapes the "vines" they come on, dry them out on my windowsill for a few days then bag them up. I haven't quite decided what to use for flocking - I used to use lots of "dries clear" glue, a can of hair spray and different kinds of lichen-like material. They weren't very real-looking but it was a good first try. 

I thought some of you folks might find this photo interesting of a section of my layout. It shows homemade trees in the left foreground on a piece of painted foam, and trees in the distance painted on the backdrop:

The goal is to get the colors to blend well. Arnold

Very well done gentlemen. Arnold the blending looks perfect. 

u can also make cheap big trees using rope as the substructure. 

here’s the stuff all pretty cheap

use super glue and rope plus stick to make armature.  u just keep untwisting rope and use glue to make limbs, cover with spackling

use cheap air filters for fiber add some foam and u got a tree on the cheap. 

Looking good Stubbygda. I have also been in a tree making mode of late. Arnold

@stubbygda posted:

u can also make cheap big trees using rope as the substructure. 

here’s the stuff all pretty cheap

 

use super glue and rope plus stick to make armature.  u just keep untwisting rope and use glue to make limbs, cover with spackling

use cheap air filters for fiber add some foam and u got a tree on the cheap. 

Ingenious !!  Great looking tree. Curious how you worked with the air filters to create shapes.

Very nice Variety John.  I like making trees too.  In a couple of months, the sedum plants in my Wife's beds will dry up.  I will have a forest of opportunity.

Have Fun.

Ron

jackiejr

i just got the super cheap air filters not the pleated ones but those that just have the mesh fiber. pull it apart in clumps and position it on the armature, spray the fiber with cheap hair spray and add the foam while sticky. i like the black filter material it just disappears under foam. 

i wish i could claim the idea but i got it off another forum from a guy who makes some amazing southern oaks using this method. 

hope that answers ur question. 

Great lookin' tree, Stubbygda. Could you describe or show how you attach or transition the stick to the rope?

Ron045, go out and clip some now.  They will dry to a different color giving you a little more variety.  In addition of course, to flocking them in the fall with different colored foam if you want to change from the deep brown/rust.

@TedW posted:

Ron045, go out and clip some now.  

You are kidding right?  Are you trying to get me killed?    You want me to go into one of my Wife's active gardens and pick something now?

Today is my 25th Wedding Anniversary.  I've learned a thing or two over 25 Years.   One being... don't mess with the gardens and ask permission only after everything is dead/dormant.  

Have Fun!

Ron

john h

u glue in a rod in the end of each branch u want to attach to trunk then drill hole and attach. i finally found the link i saw this on he has a nice tutorial with much better pics (and trees lol) than mine

http://www.freerails.com/view_...orum_id=4&page=1

What do you folks think about this homemade tree?

Specifically, the big one under the window. I consider all honest feedback, good or bad, to be good. Will explain why later. Arnold