how can i make realistic looking trees out of real plants?
Posts are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
(Apologies to Joyce Kilmer… I couldn’t resist)
[;)]
i am talking about making model trees. advice on this would be helpful
I was just having a little fun Adam…
I can’t help you with making trees out of real plants… I’ve always just used Woodland Scenics. I’ve read in MR and on this forum that many people use twigs gathered in the fall as tree trunks. I’ve seen a variety of materials used for the foliage… ground foam on poly fiber, etc. I’ve never heard of natural materials being used for the foliage, but perhaps someone else here has.
The August 2004 issue of MR had a nice article on making trees, but it was using Woodland Scenics materials, not natural ones.
[:)]
This is a really tough call if you are talking deciduous trees, Adam. Much depends on your own level of acceptibility in appearance. There have been a number of articles published in MR down through the years suggesting the use of various wild plants or weeds (even dried plant roots!) for tree armatures. While many were OK for background use, I’ve seen very few that I would say honestly look like real trees if used as stand-alone or foreground items. In fact, the only example I’ve ever seen that I consider truly creditable (especially when presented as leafless) were the trees appearing in photos in articles by Mike Tylick. Unfortunately, I don’t believe he has ever identified the exact plant he uses by name in print.
The best overall, realistic tree armatures I’ve seen are not free-of-cost weeds gathered by the hobbyist. Rather they are a commercial product offered by Scenic Express under the name Super Trees. I (and many others) have used this product and have been very pleased with the result, even when the “trees” are viewed up close and with or without ground foam “leaves” applied. I’d suggest entering this name in a google or other search engine and carefully reading what the websites that come up have to say.
CNJ831
Go to Advanced Search and where it asks for Author type in AggroJones. When the topics come up select page 3 and look for topic “You asked for it”. Interesting thread.
http://www.trainweb.org/zmtshortline/mt0.html
Very good link. You can also use peppergrass with the same method.
Jeff
The Scenic Express Supertrees are excellent. If you don’t have their catalog, it might be worth your while to get one. The phone number is 800-234-9995 and their website is www.scenicexpress.com. The also have sagebrush available now, which can make beautiful foreground trees.
Have Fun,
Tom Watkins
Here are some trees I made with dried plants…cheap hair spray and ground foam…
Here is the other view…
