What is the preferred method to attach trees to your layout? I am using Woodland Scenic and Grand Central Gem trees.’ My layout is covered in 2" of foam board. I thought of just punching a hole in the foam and sticking the tree trunk into the hole. I have seen some use a nail or pin in the bottom of the tree trunk as an anchor, but there doesn’t seem to be that much area on the bottom of the trunk to insert a nail or pin. Any suggestions?
Hi!
I’ve been planting HO trees myself this past week. Those that have metal “nails” or wrapped wire at the base are installed with holes drilled in the plaster/wood, with a little adhesive.
Those with bases are glued down - sometimes with hot glue as needed. I then paint the base with a glue mix and spread ground cover on it.
I guess you could push them into the foam, perhaps with a little caulk to hold them in place.
I have a plywood surface. I drill holes and stick the trunks into the holes with a shot of hot glue to secure them.
Rich
I use foam, too. I take an awl and punch a hole, and then put Aileen’s Tacky Glue into the opening before inserting the tree trunk. Aileen’s is an adhesive that will hold securely, but will release without damaging anything if necessary. You can get it at craft stores.
If you have trees with a molded base you can attach as above, with hot glue or caulk, then apply some ground cover to hide the base. I have some WS tree armatures that I do not use the base. First I nip off the little peg, then drill a hole up into the trunk. I have some fairly stiff wire that I cut to length, push up into the trunk, then push tree down into the foam. A dab of white glue, caulk or tacky glue, per Mr B, helps secure them. I don’t use the furnished bases, as the pegs look insufficient and I’m not sure what glue would hold them together. If you want root structure, a little Sculptamold or a glue/groundcomer mix, per Mobilman, should do the trick. I try to go up into the trunk about 1/2 to 3/4 inches and 1 to 1 1/2 down into the foam. Hole could b drilled in plywood or plaster to accept the pin too.
Good luck,
Richard
I lke the super glue method. Dribble some thick super glue down the tree trunk right at the bottom. Hit it with the zip kick and voila!! The tree is instantly glued in any position you can hold it. Drawbacks are smell of zip kick and removal of a tree can pull up some of the ground cover.
Guy
When using store bought trees, I cut the base off, drill a hole about 1/4" deep in the base of the tree, and glue a 3/4" finishing nail into it with CA. When that’s dry, I drill a hole in my base and “plant” the tree, again with CA.
Will stand up to a few knocks from a stray hand or even “Catzilla”. Even then, repairs are easy.
I have two packages of WS trees, and I have been very slow to apply them because when I make a hole in my foam or plaster in case of hills, the tree seems to list on one side … I have tried white glue, but somehow it is not enough to hold it. This has put me off trees for a little bit.
I don’t like the bases either.
Neeraj.
Neeraj,
In your situation, white glue just won’t work.
Get yourself a hot glue gun (very inexpensive) and put a dab on the bottom of the tree and quickly put it in the hole. It may take 15 or so seconds to harden, and once it does, it is pretty solid.
In the early '90s I “planted” some WS trees with bases on my HO layout, putting a dab of hot glue on the “ground” and sticking the base to it. They all held for 14 years, and yet all I needed was the use of a spatula to pry them up.
I agree with mobilman44 and as I mentioned in an earlier reply, I too apply a dab of hot glue to the bottom of the tree trunk and quicky place it in the hole. The hot glue will cool and harden instantly in less than 3 or 4 seconds and there will be no leaning.
Get yourself a hot glue gun and some glue sticks. The gun is inexpensive and will have some sticks of glue in the package.
You will be pleased with the results. White glue takes too long to set up and cure.
Rich
Hi again!
As others will likely agree, take care while using that hot glue gun. It definitely gets HOT, and the glue is a bit hard to manage sometimes, and it does get “stringy”. With a bit of practice, you will do good with it.
Two more comments… Be patient and let it fully heat up before trying to use it.
AND, if you get any on your clothes or carpet, it ain’t coming off.
Thanks you two. I will get one if I can escape to the LHS today.
I thought I replied to this question. I just lay them on the layout in a clump. Real trees in nature around here you seldom see the trunk. By laying them in a clump they look more natural with branches close to the ground. You can caulk or glue them if you want. I just leave them and if I want to rearrange them I do.
RMax
Heck, you can get them at Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, and a lot of other similar type stores.
Rich
A tree holder for uneven surfaces:
!(http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u519/TBat55/new photos/Treeholder.jpg)
Not my idea originally.