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PWMRC Home >
Quantico Depot
> Projects > Trees |
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Trees
by Dave Ptak
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Almost every layout needs trees and lots of them. The PWMRC layout features many different types of scenery from farmland to rolling hills to high mountains. We plan on many, many trees. Club member Dave Ptak shows us his technique for building realistic trees that are very inexpensive and easy to make. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| First we gather up the raw materials to build our tree. The trunk and branches is the top part of some common weeds found near the Quantico Depot. Dave has carefully removed any stray pieces of weed, leaving a nicely-shaped 'trunk'. We will be using Flock & Turf from Scenic Express. You can also use other products such as Woodland Scenics turf. On the right of the photo is green polyfiber from Woodland Scenics, which we'll use later. |
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| The 'trunk' of the tree is sprayed a medium gray color to simulate the color of many different species of trees. Notice the use of the wooden clothes pin to keep your hands free of paint. |
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| Here we see the use of the polyfiber to provide some additional surface area to receive the flocking. The polyfiber is pulled and stretched to make it almost transparent. The rule of thumb is that when you think it's been pulled enough, pull it some more. The tree assembly is now sprayed with common hair spray. There's no need for any fancy, high-priced sprays...an inexpensive can of hair spray works fine. Spray liberally. |
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Working over a plastic tub to catch excess flocking for re-use, hold the tree and sprinkle the flocking all over the tree. Be sure to sprinkle on all sides of the tree and from above. More flocking means a 'fuller' tree. |
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| When you are satisfied with the look of your
tree, then use either matte medium of white glue to hold everything in
place. The matte medium or white glue is diluted approximately one
part glue to five parts water and sprayed on the tree. Give it a
good soaking with the glue and then allow it to dry. On the right you see Dave's finished tree. He has also carefully removed any stray piece of flocking or polyfiber. When think you are finished, take an even closer look for anything that doesn't belong on your tree. Notice the ingenious tree stand using two clothes pins.
The total time from start to finish for this tree was about three minutes. |
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| Here's a great tip for drying the trees. Using the clothes pin again, hang the still-wet trees form a coat hanger. You should be able to get five or six trees on each hanger. |
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| PWMRC is a 501(c) (7) Non-Profit Organization |
Updated 12/21/05 |
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