In an effort to make the scenery on my layout realistic and inexpensive at the same time, I came across a way to make conifer trees for just pennies per tree.
My first step was to purchase a 20" x 30" x 1" furnace filter at a home improvement center.
Next, I gathered a bunch of twigs (various lengths) and cut branches from my back yard. Painted dowels would work just as well. I sharpened both ends of these sticks in a pencil sharpener. One end will be the pointed top of the tree. The other will be for planting the tree in our styrofoam scenery.
I then cut 3 ovals of various sizes out of the filter material. You can use more or less, depending on your tastes. Smear some white glue on a stick, and drive it through the middle of the filter material. Cutting a hole in the centers of the discs first is a good idea! Below are the basic ingredients (sans glue) for one tree.
Space the 3 filter discs out evenly and then start “teasing” the material in all directions. I stretch them, cut them, twist them, etc. The intent is to fill out the tree. The less perfect, the better. Here’s what you should end up with up to this point. Look Ma, blue spruces!
The next step is to paint them. I used two different shades of green Krylon paint, but any brand will work. Trim away any odd looking fibers, and place them on your layout.
Why isn’t there more text? Because this method is so simple, anyone can do it. To add more “random” realism, cut the ovals in a jagged or star sha
Thanks for the post. I’m just getting to the stage of thinking about scenery, and with no experience a little intimidated to try. Your post ha inspired me to give this a try and get started. Your trees would look just great on any layout. Thanks again. Ralph.[:)]
I’ve never been a big fan of using furnace filter material. Results usually look like giant cobwebs. However, the way you did it is very convincing. I think it is b/c you shaped it better, whereas many others who use that technique just tear off a piece and put a stick thru it. Good going!
I purchased a bunch of Woodland Scenic’s conifer trees right after Christmas. They remind me of darg green steak teriyaki on a stick! Not very convincing trees if you ask me. If you want convincing trees, you have to pay through the nose! When my trees are placed on our O27 layout, they look just right, at least to me. Much better than the thin blobs of foam on a stick. Just the right amount of airy-ness. One could sprinkle course ground foam on some before painting to add texture. A few dozen more to go and I should be all set. The first dozen went very fast.
The Current (April 06) MR has a short article on the last page about tree making that seems may be even simpler and cheaper. They use two dryed pine cones, rub them together the wrong way so the scales fall off, then dip them in diluted white glue and sprinkle ground foam on them. That’s it.
Neat idea.
Fractile pine trees. The smallest part of the tree is similar in structure to the whole.
Here’s how to work till you drop. Get a number of sticks or dowells, tapered to the top; drill holes up and down the dowell. Insert a moss product you can buy from Michaels (forgot the name) into each of the holes with glue.
If you would see this “boy’s” layout in person and see the buildings and scenery he has done, you would know he has a special talent. Wish I was that good at building buildings, trees and etc.
Wonderful job, Jim! The picture says it all. They seem quick, easy and inexpensive to make yet can still stand the scrutiny of being set in the forefront of a layout. Imagine a whole forest of this quality? Printing this off right now! Thanks for the post.
So far, I haven’t been able to come up with a use for moles on my layout, so whack those moles! Whack 'em! [;)]
Bruce, I placed some at the front of my layout and they look fine. As a matter of fact, I’m “planting” a big grove of them just to the right of the farm scene at the bottom of my posts - right at the front of the layout.
Those trees in the photos are the very first ones I did. As I made more, I got better at it. You will to. Make sure the trees aren’t all the same height. Nature is random. So make some short and full, others tall and thin.
I’ve learned a heck of a lot on this forum. It’s my pleasure to give something back to all of you. I hope your trees come out well.
