Hi guys,
I've seen the amera plastics for lots of my scenery and have got my eye on lots of them. However, they don't do any trees, so I am looking for a cheap place together some, as cheap as amera (if there is such a thing)

Thanks
LordElrond

Make them.

No, really, make them.

Get any hedge, privit or small bush like tree, chop bits out (including interesting branching out parts), bang them in the airing cupboard for a few weeks then trim and glue.

Foliage is dead cheap, Take any cheap sponge, bang it in the liquidiser (seriously) then sqidge some cheap paint through it.

I made some a few months ago, I'll get some pics up in the next couple of days.

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"Naur an edraith ammen!", no thanks, we have central heating.

One problem: we don't have an airing cupboard. Will the tumble dryer do?

Sweet

"Slow" oven (about 50-60 degrees c for half an hour. All you have to do is dry them out so they don't warp when you build them.

If that fails .... use a flame thrower.

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"Naur an edraith ammen!", no thanks, we have central heating.

why the sponge?

I've never had all the right materials to make them but Here's a nice tutorial on how to make some neat looking trees.

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'Though my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior'
-John Newton

Hi Lord Elrond. The sponge will make the foliage. Dob some glue onto the ends of each branch and place coolured sponge onto it, you might have to build it up in a few layers using lighter tones each time.

(I must get some pics ...)

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"Naur an edraith ammen!", no thanks, we have central heating.

I've been using real branches as well. It is obviously very realistic and pretty quick. The one thing you need to keep in mind though is that the smaller branches are more fragile and likely to snap. Since much of these are blocked and covered by the leaf foliage anyway I'm thinking of using wire-based branches attached to the real-tree trunk going forward. I just haven't worked out the details yet.

The sponge work is really the most affordable method for the foliage but most hobby or model train stores will sell a variety of bulk foliage pretty cheap. It will be a few dollars more than the sponge but you save the time. Of course, you have a lot more flexibility with color and shape with the sponge technique as well.

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Wait ye the finish! The fight is not yours.
Beowulf

http://TacticsInMiniature.com

Does using real branches mean that they will need replacing because they rott or something, or is that why you dry them out?

Drying them out and then applying appropriate dull coat will eliminate the rotting issue. I asked the same question not too long ago and one of our more experienced terrain makers helpfully reminded me of all the furniture, decorations, etc. we have around our homes made of wood.

The branches I collect and work with have typically been down in our woods for a while and are usually already pretty dry, but the low bake option above should be pretty good too.

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Wait ye the finish! The fight is not yours.
Beowulf

http://TacticsInMiniature.com

what about small leaves?

Often dried herbs/seasoning (like you can find cheaply in grocery store baking isle) can be crushed down more fine and used on the bases around the trees to simulate fallen leaves. You can probably even use this in the trees some for smaller scattered leaves. But typically the bulk foliage look of sponge or store-bought materials is what most people use in the actual tree.

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Wait ye the finish! The fight is not yours.
Beowulf

http://TacticsInMiniature.com

I meant if there were real leave son the branch when I dried it, would it be ok?

Hi Lord Elrond

I've found the prototype trees I made, it's a bit late now so I will post pics tomorrow.

The twigs you use will not rot, not if you let them dry out completely. This also stops any warping of the model when it's made. When they are built and dried, use 50/50 water pva mix to seal the model tree.

Do not make models using leaves on the twigs, they will be out of scale and will at some stage fall off.

Will the twigs break? Well that depends on what chunk of the twig you use. Remember you are making a model for your table, so go as fine as you want with the tree trunk and branches.

You don't need to use very thin twigs as the foliage you add will hide a lot of the upper branches anyway.

This may sound like a lot of work, buy the result is you can end up making a forrest of trees for only a few pence. (I do mean pennies). If you make a mess of the first attempt, well have another go. It may take some time, buy it is soooo worth the bragging points.

(Pics will follow)

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"Naur an edraith ammen!", no thanks, we have central heating.

Ok thanks,
But what do I use for leaves?

But there have been no pics yet...

Hi LordElrond

Finally some pics that I promised.

This link is just to show the raw material. A few twigs, just cut them down to tree shaped bits.



A couple of shots of the prototypes, the bases were just knocked together from card. They have been used in battles and are a little less bushy, but each one only cost a few pennies to make.





If the links don't work, drop me a pm.

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"Naur an edraith ammen!", no thanks, we have central heating.

Ahhhh, it seems to have put the pictures in.

Mods, if this is not good, let me know and I will edit the post and try again with links.

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"Naur an edraith ammen!", no thanks, we have central heating.

Thanks dan
They're great!

Heki do some good value ones. See my wip thread

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