Making trees

If you have not done so already check out Joe Fugates scenery clinic.

You can also check out this video

The online scenery clinic is good, you can also check out the downloadable video that Model-Trains-Video.com sells.

These downloadable high-quality videos show you everything you need to know, step-by-step, to make good looking conifers. And the price is right - they're $1.99 to $2.99 each, depending on which format you want (iPod, DVD or HD video).

thank you guys any other tips

thank you guys any other tips for modeling the cascade rage

Good to see some more SP fans out there..

Of course I am bias being brought up in a  SP family though, but SP trees seem to be much prettier than other lines trees

Dale, have you had a look at

Dale, have you had a look at trees from Heki?  I quite like them and am using them on my freelanced B&O.

I have made fairly extensive

I have made fairly extensive use of the small (2"-3")  Heiki fir trees. I "customize" 'em with a pair of tin snips so they don't all look identical, then hose 'em down with extra hold (unscented) hair spray and sprinkle a bunch of ground foam on them (which is quick, easy, and greatly improves their appearance).

The small fir trees on the left above the rock face (and foamer) are modified Heiki trees. The tree in the foregrond is Heiki too (but it's hard to see it because of the lighting). Not too bad looking and the price is fairly decent (especially if you need a dump truck load of trees!). The only problem I have with 'em is wishing they came in taller versions too (or do they and I just don't know it?).

Regards,

Charlie Comstock

Looks good...

Good job on those trees Charlie, I like the mix from foreground to backdrop... I assume these have soft metal trucks and limbs?

Trunks

Nope, no metal trunks anywhere on my layout. The deciduous trees are Scenic Express Super Trees. The BIG conifers use carved wooden trunks. The heiki trees are bottle brush trees.

Regards,

Charlie Comstock

Thanks

I have a ton of the metal trunk trees I won in a local auction, I have been wavering on whether I use them or not. I think I will probably pass on their use and check out the heikis'.

Why not try a few of 'em and

Why not try a few of 'em and see how they work out? If their appearance is ok and they don't take too long to make, and the cost is reasonable (in ground foam and foliage net) why not? You might want to spend some time filing off the mold parting lines on the sides of the trunks.

For deciduous trees made from Super Trees Joe has an excellent chapter on those in volume 5 of his DVD set and I believe you can download that chapter only if you don't want to pay for the whole DVD or like instant gratification (although the scenery volumes, 4 & 5 are an excellent value imo - I certainly learned a bunch from watching them). Zip over to http://www.model-trains-video.com to check 'em out.

Regards,

Charlie Comstock

Trees continued

Hey Charlie,

I think I might try a few of the metal truck versions in a back drop areas, however after buying some super trees this week (thanks) and following Joe's Video set, I am totally sold on them. They are just so much more realistic in a appearance. Although my train room looks a bit bizarre with trees hanging upside down and weighted, I really like the finished product.

My next project is going to attempt a few samples of the conifers described in the videos (both furnace filter and hand twisted), now that I am looking forward too.

Mike

Trees Continued

Hey Mike,

Sounds like you're making GREAT progress! Be sure to post some pictures of what you've been doing!

Cheers,

Charlie Comstock

Sagebrush armatures are everywhere

Driving from Fresno over to SLO last weekend, the foothills are loaded with sagebrush and sedium-type overgrowrth - They make awesome armatures. Oh and I forgot how superb of a modeler Charlie is.