Does anyone have a magical formula for straightening super tree trunks. I started by following the instructions with less than satisfing results. Tried using hot water & soaking them overnight in a more concentrated MM & water mix & hung them weighted for days. Looked great while weighted, but had a slightly smaller curve when released. I’ve pushed thin wire into the stem of the largest trees, but that doesn’t work on the smaller ones. About ready to give up. Any Ideas? Thanks
Jerry:
First of all, for trees planted in forests, I don’t worry about a slight snapback curve after weighting the SuperTree. I just turn the tree so the curve is toward the backdrop and you never notice it. If you plant the tree so the curve is to the left or right instead of away from you it’s still very noticeable and annoying.
If the curve bothers me, I will get my superglue and accelerator, plus a pair of tweezers. Then I’ll sit down with the curved SuperTree sprigs and gently snap the trunk (not all the way through, just enough so everything is still attached), straighten it and apply a drop of superglue to the snapped spot, then hit it with the accelerator.
I’ll typically do several trees this way, fixing the curve. I may also snap off a fresh sprig and superglue it on to a badly curved sprig to give the tree an opposing branch curving the opposite direction and balance out the curve, making the tree look more full.
Finally, if the curve is really bad, I’ll snap off the sprig at the curve and simply make a smaller tree or large bush. I need lots of smaller trees for the background along the backdrop, and I can always use delicate, full foliage bushes in the foreground.
I have had the best luck with Joe’s last suggestion. Cut them down to smaller straight trees. At first this bothered me, but I was surprised at what good bushes they made and how many bushs I needed.
However, I won’t buy any more super trees on line. I will go to a LHS where I can sort through the boxes some. I lost at least 1/2 my box because it wouldn’t even make bushes. May of the twigs didn’t even look like the same species. The good ones were really good however.
Tried the " snap & glue " method you suggested. Ended up with more suitable trees. also came up with a method of adding more “meat” to the trunk.
Get or mix some craft paint to the shade you want the trunk to be & add enough Durham’s water putty to a consistency of thick cream or thin peanut butter, just thin enough so that it can be brushed on with a small round stiff bristle brush & won’t run. Don’t smooth it out too much, we are trying to represent bark. It took me 2 coats to get the right thickness. When dry, do the india ink & alcohol thing. Obviously, you only have to do this to the front row. I did mine after planting, but probably could be done before. Jerry
I wonder if you soaked them in a glue/water mix before you hung them up to dry would work? The glue might keep them straight when you hang them up.(just a thought)
I did this and it helped, not fixed. I will continue to use diluted matt medium on all the trees, before I make them into trees, but you still have to make the into trees.