Hey Gang,
There are as many ways to make model trees as there are varieties of trees in nature. This thread was created to discuss and document making model trees for our layouts. After attempting a few trees using two different methods and giving myself a green thumb (watch that nozzle on the spray paint), I found that tree making isn't as hard as it looks. It will take some patience and a little practice and before you know it, your little empire will need some lumberjacks and skeleton cars to deal with the overgrown forrests.
Tools
List of tool helpful in the building of trees.
Adhesive (Glue, spray glue, hair spray, etc.)
Scissors
Hobby Knife
Long Needlenose pliers
Tongs
Rubber Gloves
Buckets
Tree Sources
A list of sources for tree making material.
Making Deciduous Trees
Making Fir Trees
Using Techniques such as furnace filters, kits and bottle brushes.
Making Realistic Pine Trees by Frerik Noordhuis. Tutorial. A thread created by Frerik on ModelArmour.com showing how he created some nice looking pine trees. Great step by step instructions with lots of photos. Tips: Using ferns to create limbs; Wash combination for color.
Pine Trees Made with Air Fern Branches by Bill Hambly. Tutorial. Bill shows how he created very airy pine trees with ferns. Tip: Leaving the base of the fern as a dead limb.
Making Furnace Filter Trees by Landrel Brown. 22+ minute video. Shows how he shapes dowels for the trunk, and how he ditresses and colors the trunk. Tips: Shape filter pieces into stars for better looking branches; Add dead limbs.
Making Trees - My First Forrest by Tyler Bjarnason. Tutrorial Blog. Ty shows how he created a large amount of trees using Woodland Scenics plastic tree armatures. Tip: Do not get glue on the trunk as pine needles don't grow there; Dull down shiny plastic.
Make Minature Trees - pt. 3 - Conifers by thekamloopian. Video. Conifer trees made with filter. Tip: Apply flock from the top as needles grow towards the sun; Have materials ready before starting.
Furnace Filter Trees by Karl.A (Link provided by Nicko). Tutorial. karl shares a technique he came across to make furnace filter trees. Tip: Give the tree two dressings of flock, the second being a finer material with "needles".
Making Puff Ball Trees and Canopies