Twisted-Wire Oak Trees

[M.C. Fujiwara]

I posted this over on my "Shoofly" Free-moN module Engineering Report, but I figure some who don't stop by my thread might be interested in oaks.
(Plus it makes the search easier)

I've posted a three-part step-by-step video series on how to make the N scale twisted-wire oak trees to my YouTube Channel.
http://www.youtube.com/user/mcfujiwara925/videos

[sorry the first one's not in HD: casualty of the learning process]
 
Don't have 30 minutes to spare?
Don't want to listen to me ramble for a 1/2 hour?
Don't blame you!

Here's a SIX-MINUTE "abridged" video: All the Oak, 1/5th the Fillibuster!

I'll be uploading more "how to" videos to my YouTube channel as I make them.
 
While I built these for a Free-moN module set in the Sonoma area of Northern California, I thought people might be able to get & give ideas from all scales and "oak"ey dokie locations.
 
Hope you find them useful, and looking forward to hearing suggestions on how to improve the trees.
(I see Lee's already started soldering  )

[DKS]

Speaking of twisted wire trees, here's a link familiar to some but new to others: http://www.gilbert-gribi.ch/GGribi/arbres%202.html

And more here: http://www.modelrailroadphotos.com/photos/member.php?uid=3408&protype=1

[avel]

WOW! Thank you very much for taking the time to make these videos. Making coffee and preparing for 30 minutes of AWESOME!

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Speaking of twisted wire trees, here's a link familiar to some but new to others: http://www.gilbert-gribi.ch/GGribi/arbres%202.html

And more here: http://www.modelrailroadphotos.com/photos/member.php?uid=3408&protype=1

Thanks for the links, David.
The first one isn't working for me 
And Jos' (Grove Den's) work has been quite an inspiration.
I've seen his threads on making them, but not the gallery.
Thanks!

[DKS]

You may need to re-try the first link. The site is in France, and I've just confirmed the link works.

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Works now.
Cheers!

[M.C. Fujiwara]

After making a couple more, I've learned what NOT to do:
 When spray painting the polyfill, just shoot from underneath, leaving the tops green.
 On this recent batch, I sprayed Grimy Black from the top, too, and it didn't turn out so well:
 


The newer tree on the left looks more toy-ish & blobby, while the first tree (sprayed only from the bottom) has a better blended look.
 It also helps to spread the polyfill out a bit more horizontally, rather than clump like q-tip heads around the wire branches.
 
Here's the "wrong" tree:
 


And here's the first one that turned out better, IMHO:
 


The other two I made the same "wrong" way turned out a little better, and I planted on the hill.
 A couple more smaller oaks will help blend the scene better, so I'll post some picts when I get those built & planted.
 
Thanks for looking.

[DKS]

Well, even the "wrong" ones look outstanding, if you must know!

Oh, and methinks this thread belongs in "Weathering, Detailing, Scratchbuilding and Construction Tips."

[rogergperkins]

These are excellent trees!! 

A similar technique was published in one of the model rring magazines, however the person used florist wire which is coated, typically in a green color.   I created a few oak trees using that method.  Fujiwara's method obviously yields a remarkable result, certainly superior to what I achieved. 

The videos are excellent and instructions are very clear and complete.  I think I will simply the process by adding color to the mixture that is applied to the wire armature; my thoughts in that regard are to use Polly S Grimmy Black paint instead of water and combine it with white glue.     I have already experimented with hair spray to improve the Woodland Scenic trees, so will check that for the initial polyfiber

Since my earlier attempts at making oak trees, I have come to appreciate that the trees on my layout could be much taller.  This is especially true for trees in the foreground even where a "scene" is only 32" deep.  A 55 scale foot tree looks fine with the homes sold by Atlas.  ( I use short tree in the background for a forced perspective.)

Fujiwara has motivated me to try again still with florist wire, but to attempt to create 50 to 55 scale foot trees.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I think I understand what's going on with the paint thing.

Think about it this way. The paint is imitating shadows, and is helping to define the leaves better. When you shoot it from the top, you have shadows on the top, losing the effect, and just making it look monochromatic again.

[JSL]

Thanks for the videos, MC. Excellent tutorial, when and if I ever reach the stage I need to make trees.

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Thanks, guys.
Ed: you're right about the shadows.
By shooting the Grimy Black from the bottom, it turns the bottom of the polyfill into finer branches while leaving the polyfill top greenish to blend with the foam as finer "leaves".
(Sometime the lack of fine detail is a plus of N scale!)

Spraypainting the top of the polyfill grimy black turns all the polyfill into "branches" and thus leaves the foam to be the leaves all by itself, creating a more "toy-like" tree, IMHO.

The camera makes the "wrong" tree look better than in person.
Having already planted a "good" tree on the module, it's hard to place a "bad" one anywhere near it.

I think the "bad" one might become a fallen trunk on the hillside.
Hmm....