Hi everyone. I need a little help from you all. Can anyone tell me how the branches for the tree in the pics I've linked to below were made. I'm pretty sure they're from some kind of plant that was preserved and then mounted on a trunk made from a dowel of some sort (appropriately textured and painted), but I can't figure out what. I'd like to make more (I bought these two some years ago), but I can't figure out what the guy how made them used.

Even if you don't know exactly what these come from, any suggestions for a similar look would be very much appreciated!

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o223/BJEast/Miscellaneous/Tree2.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o223/BJEast/Miscellaneous/Tree1.jpg


Thanks,

Brad.

Note to mods: I've also posted this in the diorama forum, but I thought I'd post here too, some of the railroad guys might know, but also might not check the diorama forum. Sorry if that's not cool.

It looks like they used fern it will dry and still stay green like this
http://www.all-model-railroading.co.uk/amr/chapter06.htm

There are lots of weeds to choose from. I think you'll need to get a twist drill and drill out the trunk and main stalk of the tree so you can slide in the branches.

Harry Clark's model Railroad was featured in Great model Railroads collection rom Allen Keller. I think it was #7 or maybe #4. I have a copy of a copy of it and his trees are al natural materials.

Thanks guys. The other day I was at a plant store and found a plant that, I think will make for some great conifer branches with a shot of green from the airbrush. Just can't remember the name of it as I sit here....

make sure you spray some kind of sealant on your organic plants before you spray the color. I use a flat clear lacquer.

Oh, thanks for that! Didn't know about that!

Brad, how set are you on using natural materials?

Hobby lobby does a big coupon on hobby stuff every few weeks and my local store carries a ton of woodland scenics lanscaping kits, including lots of tree kits...
Steve

The Woodland Scenics trees are great I have built 9 so far. It is actually quite relaxing. If you go that route make sure you get a kit with the extra fine foilage. It's real bits of.....something real that's been dried. It's added at the end and looks like small branches. You can see the ones I built in my diorama thread. I'll ake some close ups tonight.

A Michaels or such also has neat dried flowers etc which can make great trees.

Thanks for the tips, guys!

I found out what kind of plant was used to make the tree I originally asked about! It's known by a couple of names - asparagus fern, or emerald fern.

It looks like this:

http://herselfshouseplants.com/2007/08/asparagus-aka-emerald-fern-asparagus-plumosussetaceus.html

Problem is, nobody around (Vancouver, BC) has the right kind of emerald fern. At last, I haven't been able to find any so far. But I'll keep looking. For now, I'm going to try dried Caspia!

Take a look at some kitchen herbs too. You never know, it might be as close as your local grocer.

Great idea, Steve. Next time I'm at the grocery store, I'm going to do that!

This months (Nov 2009) Model Railroader magazine has an article on making trees.

Thanks for that - i'll check out that issue ASAP.