I have about 16 linear feet or so to fill up on my layout with city buildings. To break the monotany I’m going to shove a park into a nice little 18"x18" corner of my layout, similar to Boston commons. (See pics below)
I figure the trees will nicely mask the flats in the background.
I also want to place small single trees surrounded by an iron grate on the sidewalks by buildings.
Question: Who makes really good quality trees for such a scene with a minimal of fuss? (Including weeping willows?)
There is a plant that grows in our area that I’ve alsway thought would make a good willow. I’ll try to remember to post a picture tonight–although it will be late. There are still some left in my area, but the new growth is coming in quickly. You should be able to find some in your area. It is quite common here.
There’s some weeping willows on walthers, but all look pale in comparison to the real thing. Not even close. I really hoped to use their thick foilage as cover.
While not really suitable for representing willow trees (nothing available does the job, I’m afraid), Scenic Express’ Super Trees are far and away the best choice for dense plantings of regular deciduous trees in HO. SE also offers a very broad line of foam for foilage in spring, summer and autumn colors. I’ve made around 400 trees for my layout using their product and am very pleased with the realistic results.
I have been working with grass, bent over and painted green. It is fair, and should get better when I do some more. I wrap many strands with florist’s tape.
I use Queen of the Praire for Birch trees.
I use Spirea for oak, maple etc.
I do pine trees with both the furnace filter and the Caspia in a dowel method. All take practice but make nice trees.
None of the areas are finished yet in that the small ground cover is what makes a scene. Set aside some time and practice, I have found that making trees is relaxing. easy and satisfying.
Also, I don’t know if you have a Hobby Lobby or floral supply store near you but you can by bags of floral supplies that are a lot cheaper than Scenic Express, and some look like willows. Their floral supplies come in all colors and are easy to work with
While you’re there, pick up floral tape. When holding things together for the trunk, floral tape works geat.
You can also dip your trees into diluted white glue and sprinkle Woodland Scenic turf, hang the tree upside down on a clothes line with clothes line pin. Seriously you’ll some good looking trees at a lot less cost.
WTRR
Yard Office
Small veterans park on my layout, three memorials back under the tree with WWI , WWII , and Vietnam. I suppose I’ll have to add a new one for the Iraqi wars.
