Good morning!
Don't get in much. But, thought I would drop in with my latest endeavor.
N and ho scale conifers.
My plan is to make at least 200.
Ambitious for me. But, here's a shot of 50 of them.
The lighting isn't great, got to work on that. They are not as yellow as they appear.
The building is n scale to give perspective.
There is a reasonable facsimile mix of lodge pole pines, yews and western hemlock.
At least in my eye.
I made them at different heights to give texture. I don't care for the all the same look, look.
I've been doing trees lately, too. I did some Woodland Scenics pine armatures, and some WS and old Scenic Express deciduous armatures. My layout is set in Northeast US in late summer.
What kind of trees are appropriate for the area you're modeling? There's variation in conifers, white pines look very different from blue spruces. The location will also impact the height of the trees. Of course, the most important thing to do is look at lots of photos of your target area.
dave
Hey Dave
I am modeling trees of the Pacific Northwest.
I lived there for 18 years.
I say reasonable facsimile because it is very hard for me to model in n scale. Eyes and fingers not as bright nor nimble, being 80 years young.
But I have pics of every tree I am trying to model.
But, it's more for the overall picture.
I am using copper wire and sisal rope fibers for the trunk and branches. Static grass for foliage and on some, iron weed stems for trunks.
I will do a how to soon.
Thanks
Olddude
Your more sparse trees make me think the forested parts of New Mexico I've seen. Would that be Ponderosa? The thicker trees make me think Washington or Oregon, Not sure what species I was looking at there.
These three are supposed to represent blue spruce or yew, western hemlock and lodgepole pine.
The first of the trees do look a little sparse, but they are getting better as I go along.
Olddude
They look great Olddude.
Well, the west side of the Cascades has denser trees than the eastern side. (Douglas Fir, Western Cedar) I think the challenge will be trees that are tall enough. A lot of those trees grow tall pretty quickly.
I think you're off to a great start, particularly for Lodgepole Pines or Douglas Fir. Cedars are a bit more of a challenge, to get that classic 'down drape" shape of the branches.
Douglas Fir: https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/documnts/usda/amwood/235dougl.pdf
Western Cedar: https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/documnts/usda/amwood/261wredc.pdf
Lodgepole Pine: https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/documnts/usda/amwood/253lodge.pdf
Here's a video on doing Western Cedars in HO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnF_ZMyPyic
dave
Olddude,
No two trees are alike. So, your thick and thin ones are perfect. And, well done.
At one time, I made over 750 Scenic Express trees. Took me a few months but I'm very happy with the look.
Thanks for sharing.
Piney Woods on the Atlantic and Southern.
Tom
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-060526160516-57505379.jpeg)
Nice conifers. Can you send me fifty or so? ;D
Jeff
Very well done!!
Jerry
They look great!
I have lots of trees to look at here.
What are you using for the foliage?
I used Ming fern years ago.
MJinTN
Hey all!
Thanks for all the comments.
In answer to the above question. I use sisal rope fibers, soaked in water to remove the twist.
Then wind them up in copper wire.
Then trim them to shape.
For foliage, as they are for n & ho scale use, I use 1 & 2mm static grass.
Here is a pic of one undressed to give you an idea of how they are made.
I will be doing a step by step.
Thanks
Dave, Olddude