Hello I was thinking of adding some dead trees and trees that have fallen down. Some will be in a pond and some on shore. Any thoughts on this I am not to sure were to start. Thanks Frank
Frank, I live in central Ohio,I would start in your own backyard! Look for small-scale size dead twigs that have fallen. Look for twigs without bark. For a pond or riverbed, I would look at the location! Simple enough,but I find the best scenery items at the source. Driftwood twigs are perfect! After the spring rains or flooding, driftwood piles hold the best twigs along the shore of local creeks or rivers.I hope this helps.Dave
Go out in your yard, pick up some small twigs and you’re started. Make sure they are similar in size to your trees. Most folks seem to attach them with white glue. If you are putting them on the bank of a stream or pond, partially submurged, get them glued down before you pour your water. I have seen where some folks soak them in matte medium before putting them on the layout to keep the bark on them. If they represent trees that have been down for a long time, they would be very dark. Otherwize they should be about the same color as the rest of your trees. Twigs may need a little dry brushing.
I have taken a few parts of bushes and put them in among my puff ball trees to represent a standing dead tree. Looks good, but if I do more I will try to find some with bigger branches.
You can buy deadfall, but it’s free if you go outside and pick it up.
Have fun,
Richard
To add to DavidP’s response. If you go to a small drainage ditch after a fairly large rain. You will find small twigs among leaves and other debris. You will have better luck by culverts where the water is dammed up during a heavy rain.
If you pull up weeds in your yard, take a look at the roots. While many plant stalks are way too large for trees, the root systems are often quite compact and look like small inverted trees. Clean them off, dry them and give them a shot of gray primer.
Hello well I was out in the yard looking for sticks and found a few that look ok. Mr B that is a great idea. Will any plant work or should I look for a certain kind? Here are a couple of pics of what I have just for ideas.
If you have any more ideas or pics pleas post. Thanks Frank
I’ve heard that crab grass and sunflower roots make good plants. The recommendations were not to wash the dirt off, but let them dry and shake it off.
Good luck,
Richard
I used garden twigs for mine. I painted them pale greys to make them look older and bleached by the sun.
and greener and browner if they’re in a more damp place
Mike
0-6-0
This suggestion may not work for trees in a pond, but for modeling driftwood and logs that have been in water for a long time I gathered twigs from a beach on Lake Superior. I’m sure that any beach where there is wave action would have similar debris.
I think these could be used ‘as is’ on a beach or painted with grey tones for deadfall in a forest. In any case, it took me about 5 minutes to gather enough of the stuff for about 100 layouts![;)]
Dave
As mentioned, back yard or just keep your eyes open. These twigs turned trees were had from Utah on a family vacation where we went out for a picnic.
Another good source to use are the dry, inner twigs from evergreen fir trees. Just choose some that fit the scale of the “live” trees that you will have nearby. You can even twist a bit of dried moss or lichen around the twigs to make trees that have been affected by wind and rain. If you do not have any evergreen firs in your area, wait until December and save back a few clippings from a Christmas tree. feel free to borrow my favorite excuse line , “The railroad needs it!”
Dave,Thats it! I did not have a photo to submit, but Your samples are perfect,Model Railroading on a beach,who knew.I feel that the Natural materials work best for deadlimbs and standing dead trees.Dave
Hello Wow all those trees look great. It looks like they all are thicker then mine by alot ? What would be a good size? Is there a to big or to small? Mine just look to thin. Thanks for posting the photos everyone it helps a lot. Have a nice day Frank
There are not too many limits on how big a fallen tree can be and still look right on a model RR. The same goes for stumps or a clear cut logging scene. The first photo of course is prototypical the next are on my model RR.
Peter Smith, Memphis
I found “logs” in my back yard. Hauled them out by rail, of course.
Hello I found some more trees. One is part of a old root and the rest are just sticks. I am happy with they way they look so I added my water. The water is old polyurthean it has a nice color to it.
I took these pics right after I pourd the poly so it will soak in some and may need one more layer. Thanks for all the help and photos. Have a nice day Frank