Y'all Plant a Tree, a Bush or a Shrub . . .

Good idea Arnold... How about a few pics of how you make them - for us "fumble thumbs" who are artistically challenged! 

Namvet4 posted:

Good idea Arnold... How about a few pics of how you make them - for us "fumble thumbs" who are artistically challenged! 

Will do, as soon as I finish lunch.

Here is one of the trees I worked on this morning:

Its the large tree on left front. It became bare from jostling it over time, so I used a large medicine dropper to dab on a mixture of matte medium and Elmers glue, and then sprinkle and place with my fingers green flocking and green fine turf.

The supplies appear below:Believe me, if I can do this, anyone can.

Some of our Forum friends are masters at this, I'm not. 

Years ago, I found a branch outside, which became the base of the tree, and then I bought a green mesh product (I forget what it is called) and spread it out between the little branches on top. Then I applied spray glue to that mesh, and sprinkled on the green flocking.

Arnold

Here are some smaller trees behind the above larger one. Generally, it looks better to put the larger trees in the front.

This next one is one of my favorites. This past fall, I was walking in a State Park near my house, and I noticed that the tops of very tall grass had the potential to be O Gauge trees. Most are not so symmetrical because they bend towards the sun, but some are symetrical. I broke off the tops of a few symmetrical ones, took them home,  lightly spray glued them and sprinkled on green blend or fine turf:

I like having a little variety of different shades of green, which works on my layout because the best scenic feature of my layout is my Yankee Stadium, with the baseball figures playing a game. So my seasons are limited to Spring or Summer or early Fall.

Now, if you want to go for glory, then be like Patrick and model in Autumn colors. Or, like Phil Klopp did at his Pennesy Horseshoe Curve vignette in the Fall.

Speaking of vignettes, if you have enough layout space, you can model in Spring/Summer, Fall and Winter colors.

Arnold

J Daddy posted:

Your trees, J Daddy, in the background look totally real and your trestle bridge is very impressive. Thanks for sharing.

Your houses look very similar to one on my layout. I'm very fond of those houses because my wife was brought up in a Victorian style home that looked like that in the Lansingberg section of Troy, NY.

My main source for trees and foliage has been Scenic Express. Jim Elster's products are nearly endless in their variety and usefulness.

Secondly, when I am modeling a landscape, small or large, which in my mind is typical of the East and Midwest areas of the USA, places which are familiar to me (I do not try to model what I have not seen personally, in-person,) I do not skimp.

As an example . I used one of Jim's products, a snippet from a Sagebrush, to model the dying trees in these vignettes...

When I decided to try modeling a logging "block," I researched logging via the Internet, books, and a personal visit to Upstate NY where a forest was being cleared. I realized I had no practical idea of what actually shared a forest floor with the trees. So, I went into several tracts and immersed myself.

Also, I visited several John Deere dealerships and talked to the men there to find out what the various equipment did as parts of the logging operation. Fortunately, those storefront dealerships also carried a line of 1/48 toy models of the equipment, such as Front Loaders, Skidders, Forwarders, Harvesters, etc.

When I returned home, I enjoyed a visual romp through a Scenic Express catalogue, and began modeling, once the materials arrived.

When I had several finished "Logging Block" vignettes completed, I took a carload of them back to the John Deere dealerships for their appraisal, approval, or disapproval.

FrankM

You, Frank, are one of the scenery masters, and I was hoping you would chime in on this topic. I would have responded sooner, but lost power and Wifi for several hours because of the huge snow storm. My sense is that with each little thing you do to improve the scenery, its appearance improves exponentially. When you do all that you do to improve it, and know the best supplies and techniques, the results are spectacular.

Your trees, like your structures, other scenery and figures, are spectacular.

Thanks for the info re Scenic Express and it's catalogue. I will checck it out. 

Arnold

Here's a bush made from a pine cone covered with spray glue, flocking and green blend:

Here is a pine tree. I purchased a  large quantity of them from a hobby store in Schenectady, NY many years ago:

Moonson posted:

My main source for trees and foliage has been Scenic Express. Jim Elster's products are nearly endless in their variety and usefulness.

Secondly, when I am modeling a landscape, small or large, which in my mind is typical of the East and Midwest areas of the USA, places which are familiar to me (I do not try to model what I have not seen personally, in-person,) I do not skimp.

As an example . I used one of Jim's products, a snippet from a Sagebrush, to model the dying trees in these vignettes...

When I decided to try modeling a logging "block," I researched logging via the Internet, books, and a personal visit to Upstate NY where a forest was being cleared. I realized I had no practical idea of what actually shared a forest floor with the trees. So, I went into several tracts and immersed myself.

Also, I visited several John Deere dealerships and talked to the men there to find out what the various equipment did as parts of the logging operation. Fortunately, those storefront dealerships also carried a line of 1/48 toy models of the equipment, such as Front Loaders, Skidders, Forwarders, Harvesters, etc.

When I returned home, I enjoyed a visual romp through a Scenic Express catalogue, and began modeling, once the materials arrived.

When I had several finished "Logging Block" vignettes completed, I took a carload of them back to the John Deere dealerships for their appraisal, approval, or disapproval.

Nice job. I'm a logger in Upper Michigan and you did great.

MattR posted:

Moonson posted:

My main source for trees and foliage has been Scenic Express. Jim Elster's products are nearly endless in their variety and usefulness.

Secondly, when I am modeling a landscape, small or large, which in my mind is typical of the East and Midwest areas of the USA, places which are familiar to me (I do not try to model what I have not seen personally, in-person,) I do not skimp.

As an example . I used one of Jim's products, a snippet from a Sagebrush, to model the dying trees in these vignettes...

When I decided to try modeling a logging "block," I researched logging via the Internet, books, and a personal visit to Upstate NY where a forest was being cleared. I realized I had no practical idea of what actually shared a forest floor with the trees. So, I went into several tracts and immersed myself.

Also, I visited several John Deere dealerships and talked to the men there to find out what the various equipment did as parts of the logging operation. Fortunately, those storefront dealerships also carried a line of 1/48 toy models of the equipment, such as Front Loaders, Skidders, Forwarders, Harvesters, etc.

When I returned home, I enjoyed a visual romp through a Scenic Express catalogue, and began modeling, once the materials arrived.

When I had several finished "Logging Block" vignettes completed, I took a carload of them back to the John Deere dealerships for their appraisal, approval, or disapproval.

Nice job. I'm a logger in Upper Michigan and you did great.

What a great compliment!

MattR posted:

Moonson posted:

My main source for trees and foliage has been Scenic Express. Jim Elster's products are nearly endless in their variety and usefulness....When I decided to try modeling a logging "block," I researched logging via the Internet, books, and a personal visit to Upstate NY where a forest was being cleared. I realized I had no practical idea of what actually shared a forest floor with the trees. So, I went into several tracts and immersed myself.

Also, I visited several John Deere dealerships and talked to the men there to find out what the various equipment did as parts of the logging operation. Fortunately, those storefront dealerships also carried a line of 1/48 toy models of the equipment, such as Front Loaders, Skidders, Forwarders, Harvesters, etc.

 

When I had several finished "Logging Block" vignettes completed, I took a carload of them back to the John Deere dealerships for their appraisal, approval, or disapproval.

Nice job. I'm a logger in Upper Michigan and you did great.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, MattR !!! I really appreciate getting your approval, given your profession, of course. I imagine I have some of the equipment much closer to each other than would be normal for such a site, but I have a feeling you knew that was due to the space considerations when I was modeling such scenes for a train layout. If you look closely at the bottom photo , the one with the Skidder, you can see the white edge to the acrylic baseplate for the vignette peeking put at the lower right hand corner. I tried to fit as much authenticity in each scene as I could, so for you to tell me I managed to do well, well, that is great to learn from you!

Thanks again.

FrankM

Scenic Express, one of our sponsors, has a lot of trees.

Mike CT posted:

Scenic Express, one of our sponsors, has a lot of trees.

Those Scenic Express trees look gorgeous. Good to know they can be purchased in large quantity in O Scale for a big layout, probably from a catalogue. Local hobby shops near me don't offer them in quantity.

I enjoy making my own trees using scenery materials from companies like Scenic Express, but mine are not nearly as good as theirs.

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

You, Frank, are one of the scenery masters, and I was hoping you would chime in on this topic.....

Thanks for the info re Scenic Express and it's catalogue. I will checck it out. 

Arnold

Thank you! I am very glad you are pleased with my reply, Arnold. My hope is that it may be helpful to others, or tweak an imagination here-n-there, as we all model our way into Layoutville.

One more thing. For those new to the hobby, maybe with young chidren, making trees can be great fun, for both girls and boys, and can be a great bonding activity for you to do with your kids.  It's an arts and crafts project that can have great appeal to both sexes. It's relatively economical to do, and even mediocre trees greatly enhances the appearance of the layout. 

Moonson's stuff is hard to match.  Agree.  Spectacular.

I too, use Scenic Express.  This oak tree is one of my latest from them.  I'm experimenting with some scratch-built chain link fencing to enhance this scene.

I made this one to go with the gazebo, rocks and flowers, and the squirrels.

Made these three trees to fill in the mountain scene.  Love the guy climbing up to steal some pumpkins...

Arnold, poor Lady Bird.  Stuck with a husband who participated in the murder, and cover-up of, the 35th president, and devastated that his plans for power went so predictably awry.  Don't take my word for it.  Google all the witnesses (not authors of books) who have come forward now that A. Dulles, Nixon, and the "Bay of Pigs" gang are dead.  Apologies to all blissful train guys, who still may not know, and are offended.

Jerry G.

Thanks, Jerry G !!

JerryG posted:

Moonson's stuff is hard to match.  Agree.  Spectacular.

I too, use Scenic Express.  This oak tree is one of my latest from them.  I'm experimenting with some scratch-built chain link fencing to enhance this scene.

I made this one to go with the gazebo, rocks and flowers, and the squirrels.

Made these three trees to fill in the mountain scene.  Love the guy climbing up to steal some pumpkins...

Arnold, poor Lady Bird.  Stuck with a husband who participated in the murder, and cover-up of, the 35th president, and devastated that his plans for power went so predictably awry.  Don't take my word for it.  Google all the witnesses (not authors of books) who have come forward now that A. Dulles, Nixon, and the "Bay of Pigs" gang are dead.  Apologies to all blissful train guys, who still may not know, and are offended.

Jerry G.

Nice trees, Jerry, and I see you have the Post war Dispatch Board too.

Here’s a recent companion thread that discusses options for scratch-made trees and shrubs for your perusal.

trees-from-weeds   

TedW posted:

Here’s a recent companion thread that discusses options for scratch-made trees and shrubs for your perusal.

trees-from-weeds   

Thanks Ted, I did not know this topic was covefed  beforebefores  and so recently. A lot of good information there. I never hea rd of sedum before.

Moonson posted:

MattR posted:

Moonson posted:

My main source for trees and foliage has been Scenic Express. Jim Elster's products are nearly endless in their variety and usefulness....When I decided to try modeling a logging "block," I researched logging via the Internet, books, and a personal visit to Upstate NY where a forest was being cleared. I realized I had no practical idea of what actually shared a forest floor with the trees. So, I went into several tracts and immersed myself.

Also, I visited several John Deere dealerships and talked to the men there to find out what the various equipment did as parts of the logging operation. Fortunately, those storefront dealerships also carried a line of 1/48 toy models of the equipment, such as Front Loaders, Skidders, Forwarders, Harvesters, etc.

 

When I had several finished "Logging Block" vignettes completed, I took a carload of them back to the John Deere dealerships for their appraisal, approval, or disapproval.

Nice job. I'm a logger in Upper Michigan and you did great.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, MattR !!! I really appreciate getting your approval, given your profession, of course. I imagine I have some of the equipment much closer to each other than would be normal for such a site, but I have a feeling you knew that was due to the space considerations when I was modeling such scenes for a train layout. If you look closely at the bottom photo , the one with the Skidder, you can see the white edge to the acrylic baseplate for the vignette peeking put at the lower right hand corner. I tried to fit as much authenticity in each scene as I could, so for you to tell me I managed to do well, well, that is great to learn from you!

Thanks again.

FrankM

Yes, I had the space restraint thing figured out.   It looks more real than the pics you have of the actual machines.   The real units you have pictures of are fresh off the factory floor I guarantee.    Very few hours on them, but they'll have lots in a hurry trying to pay for those new machines.     Most crews with new iron like that run around the clock.     I was that way once with $22,000 in monthly payments (yes $22,000 per month, and that doesn't include fuel, wages, insurance, parts, etc) and had 11 men. Not worth it.... but anyway.     The ones you weathered look a heck of alot closer to the real deal after they've been working.  Real logging is dirty and nasty (usually).

Moonson posted:

......  Also, I visited several John Deere dealerships and talked to the men there to find out what the various equipment did as parts of the logging operation. Fortunately, those storefront dealerships also carried a line of 1/48 toy models of the equipment, such as Front Loaders, Skidders, Forwarders, Harvesters, etc. ......

FrankM

Wonderful logging scene, Frank!  Wonderful!

Would you mind telling me the brand of those 1/48 models? I don't think they're Ertl. Thanks

Jim

I like trees

clem k posted:

I like trees

Clem, I like your trees too, they are gorgeeous.

EBT Jim posted:

Moonson posted:

......  Also, I visited several John Deere dealerships and talked to the men there to find out what the various equipment did as parts of the logging operation. Fortunately, those storefront dealerships also carried a line of 1/48 toy models of the equipment, such as Front Loaders, Skidders, Forwarders, Harvesters, etc. ......

FrankM

Wonderful logging scene, Frank!  Wonderful!

Would you mind telling me the brand of those 1/48 models? I don't think they're Ertl. Thanks

Jim

The logging equipment models came from John Deere dealerships, in John Deere boxes.

Here are a couple of the places I stopped at:

Cazenovia Equipment Co., 2393 Rt.11, Lafayette, NY 13084  (315) 655-8620

Cazenovia Equipment Co., 3892 US Rt.11 South, Cortland, NY 13045  (315) 655-8620

I visited several locations, but I'm pretty sure these two are the main resources I used for models. Also, keep in mind that it was several years ago that I bought the models, and 300 miles from where I live, so I have no idea if such models are still available at those locations. They didn't have a whole lot of them. If they do not have them these days, perhaps they can inform you of which of their stores may have them.

Thank you, Jim, for voicing such kind approval.

FrankM

P.S. The figures inside are from Artista, their seated 3/4 figures, filed down to fit in the seats. I opened the cabs up and glued them in w/ Gorilla Glue.

Scenic Express catalog request page.  They do a paper Catalog in addition to their online catalog. 

Scenic Express is one of the better/more elaborate displays at the York Train meet.

Mike CT posted:

Scenic Express catalog request page.  They do a paper Catalog in addition to their online catalog.

Thank you, Mike! I just submitted my catalogue request.

Yous guys do some beautiful scenery, thanks for ideas.

Ray

I use a product from Home Depot that you use in your rain gutters, it comes in 4 foot lengths and keeps the leaves out of your gutters.  I cut it spray paint it green and  make bushes any size and shape I need.

The Knights of Ni "wood" commend you on this thread

Some folk have used red and green Scothbrite chopped in a blender as well.

My fav is a tiny little pink "tree" I picked from behind my local Dollar store. No mods needed, and about 3 years old now. I like what it shed on the shed over time too.

Moonson posted:

 

P.S. The figures inside are from Artista, their seated 3/4 figures, filed down to fit in the seats. I opened the cabs up and glued them in w/ Gorilla Glue.

 

Again .... wonderful work, Frank. We keep returning to your photos to examine and admire the details. 

My nephew has a couple of these John Deere forestry vehicles in a diorama, and he would like to put a figure in the driver's seat. His cabs don't open. Did you cut yours open? Any trick to that?

Thanks, Jim

EBT Jim posted:

Moonson posted:

 

P.S. The figures inside are from Artista, their seated 3/4 figures, filed down to fit in the seats. I opened the cabs up and glued them in w/ Gorilla Glue.

 

 

Again .... wonderful work, Frank. We keep returning to your photos to examine and admire the details. 

• My nephew has a couple of these John Deere forestry vehicles in a diorama, andhe would like to put a figure in the driver's seat. His cabs don't open. Did you cut yours open? Any trick to that?

Thanks, Jim

Hi Jim, There seemed to be a different trick for each machine.

I never cut anything.

If there is a figure in mine, it got there by either my unscrewing something, somewhere, bending something over, removing a roof, or using a tiny screwdriver to pry something aside or up and flipping the cab open. It took a while, and some disassembly if necessary, but my theory was that somebody got the seat in there somehow, so I was determined to open the cab up, if just for a few quick, forced seconds, wide-open enough to get the guy in there with glue on his hips and/or butt, snap him into place, and close it all up quickly. A few had what seemed to be rivets, so they were impregnable and left as they were, driverless.

Some cabs flipped open forward, some backwards, some sideways. Some not at all.

If I recall correctly (it's been a decade), I believe this one required some disassembly of the whole model to get at the cab from the underside, and then inside.

Your nephew may need to remove them from his dioramas and rotate the top part, and flip the model over. He may see a way in from that vantage. It may demonstrate that removing the model's motor part allows access to the cab.

Patience helps, as does a sense of adventure and determination.

FrankM

I looked on line and on the forum for ideas to make trees. Here are some tries. FWIW, I posted my copied method. The project was enjoyable but took a long time for the 300+ trees. They are ok but not as good as the woodland or others.  But my cost was about 45 cents per tree.

National Arbor Day for 2018 is Friday, April 27th.  We should ALL celebrate Arbor Day by planting another tree or two on our layouts. 

Paul.