I need to make a LOT or trees. Is there an economical source for tree foliage in larger quantities than the quart bottles found in most hobby shops?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Try Scenic Express one of our sponsors
junkman,
Try this stuff called gyp. Available at craft stores like Michaels, AC Moore, etc. It is used for dried floral arrangements. Comes natural(tan() color also a shade or 2 in green. You can spray it your self any color. The tree making procedure is to involved to describe here even though it's quite simple. It is very cheap and I have trees that are 10 years old and going strong with no loss of foliage. Give me a call and I will walk you through the process.
Paul Edgar
717-993-9306
For the best stems go get some "texas" sagebrush late season. Don't know where you are in Texas, but you should be able to find a lifetime supply somewhere . Use supertrees and glue them to stems with CA. Air brush from bottom and then flock. This will give you some O sized scale trees
Another vote for Supertrees material glued to sagebrush armatures, flocked lightly with Woodland Scenics coarse foam for excellent trees.
To answer the original question: The Supertrees material goes a long way because you are only using small pieces on the sage brush armatures. Likewise, if you flock sparingly (which looks better), the coarse foam will go a long way. You may need less you might originally think. 
Jim
Attachments
Images (2)
Make your own. Get an old blender, foam rubber water and some water based paint of your color choice. I cut the foam into one inch chunks; fill the blender about half full of water. Turn the blender on the highest setting with the water in the pitcher. Unscrew the top plug while the blender is running and start putting pieces of foam into the spinning vortex. Add as much foam as the blender will chop and add more water as necessary.
Drain the resulting ground foam into a colander to remove the excess water and then transfer to an old bowl to mix the paint into the foam. It doesn’t take a lot of paint, so experiment. Spread the results onto a old screen to allow to air dry. Turn over the foam several times to help it dry and not clump together.
Don't use a good blender or anything else of value. I picked up a yard sale blender for $5.00.
Thank you all. Your responses are appreciated. I have a good source for some really knarly armatures that will look a lot like the live oak trees we have in Texas. Because my layout is large, I have been concerned that tree making would get too expensive if I have to purchase flocking material in small quantities. I'm glad to hear your statement that the material can go a long way. I also like the idea of making my own material. I'll give all these ideas a try. Thanks again.
dont overlook mother nature. Astilbe and Sedum make real nice trees
Steve
