Trees

[ianp]

This is a bit of a cross-post from something I put on the French railway section. I want to buy about 20 model trees for my developing N scale, rural, French layout. Model plane trees appear to be rare and very expensive (£20!). Some mass produced, all purpose, deciduous trees seem to be too obviously plastic. Does anyone have an opinion on who makes the best trees, combining low-ish cost with some apparent realism? Thanks.

[Gwiwer]

"The best" will be a personal opinion.  I have been happy with some (but not all) from Hornby's Skaledale range and also from the Heki range.  

[ianp]

Thank you. The Skalescenic trees are too pricey for me (about £4 each). But the Heki black poplars (£13 for 10) and their "avenue trees" (£8 for 4) may be just what I need. I shall start with the cheapest option and work my way up the price scale.

[Re6/6]

Ian, have you considered making them yourself? Depending on the detail that you want, basic trees are quite straightforward to make.

 

'Seamoss' (from Greenscene amongst others) can be dressed with various ground foams to choice (or even static grasses) and glued on with strong hold hairspray.

 

Wire armatures are quite easy to make by twisting soft florists wire to the required shape. I prefer the 7inch plain silver wire used for making button holes which is very soft and is particularly suitable for small trees. Then cover it with 'bark'. Commercial mixes are available but Polyfilla and PVA glue mixture can be used.

 

Check out YouTube. There are many different methods described on there. Some are a bit 'quirky'! 

 

Some of the best is on here:  http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?5015-How-to-Make-Trees-and-Shrubs&highlight=grove

 

[ianp]

Thanks for that advice. I may use it in the future. Those trees look good. But my guiding principle (such as it is) is that for this layout everything should be ready-made, just to keep things simple. (Don't laugh).

[14Steve14]

Have a dig around eBay. There are cheap trees there in all sizes that can be used as scene fillers and then add better trees to the front where they can be seen.