Scenic Express is for sale

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Does anyone have any suggestions for what size of trees works with an N scale layout?  I am looking at deciduous trees.  2-3 inches would seem to be appropriate, but any first hand knowledge would be appreciated.  Thank you.

Jeff

I did the research for my recent clinic.

https://deadseasonmodeling.net/2024/06/22/ed-kapuscinskis-2024-n-scale-enthusiast-clinic-on-dead-season-modeling/

[garethashenden]

Those heights are feet right Ed?

[nickelplate759]

They'd better be!

I'm trying to imagine a 250 meter Douglas Fir... That would be over 800'

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Those heights are feet right Ed?

Yep

[peteski]

On most layouts trees are undersized.  Kind of a selective compression (like some other dimensions on layouts are compressed), because full size 100-250 foot trees would seem too large.

[Chris333]

Just like most buildings, train lengths, distances are all undersized.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

On most layouts trees are undersized.  Kind of a selective compression (like some other dimensions on layouts are compressed), because full size 100-250 foot trees would seem too large.

Yeah, but in most cases this goes far too far.

One of the reasons why I think people ooh and ahh at my scenery is simply because of the size of my trees.

[Englewood]

Undersized trees is my number one major pet peeve in model railroading. Followed closely by unrealistic geometry in the roads.

[OldEastRR]

Yeah, but put 60-70' trees along a stretch of land between two ROWs -- or even worse, a tall woodland in front of spurs to industries you switch and Giant Hand Destruction becomes a big player.  It's nice to have a peninsula or an access pit on either side of a working track area because you can put in a batch of real-sized trees with tracks behind them. With access from the backside no problem of mashing down the trees while trying to reach the track.

[OldEastRR]

Yes, the old adage passed down through decades of model railroaders; "If you ever see anything you think you might ever need, buy it right away, because that stuff may not be around when you decide you need it." Words for a model rail to live by.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Undersized trees is my number one major pet peeve in model railroading. Followed closely by unrealistic geometry in the roads.

My brother.

[Jbub]

Yeah, but in most cases this goes far too far.

One of the reasons why I think people ooh and ahh at my scenery is simply because of the size of my trees.

I want to say "That's what she said" but it doesn't quite work.

[spookshow]

If modeling an area with mature trees, I think 5-6" is the way to go (that's 66-80 scale feet). At first I thought that was going to look weird, but now it's the layouts where everything is 2-3" that looks weird to me.

-Mark

[Sokramiketes]

Tree size, like everything, depends. 

If you're modeling more modern eras and the trees have crept back in that close to the ROW, sure, go with full size big trees.

If you happen to be modeling modules that are 18" wide, and 1950's midwest scenery... well, so many aerial photos show zero trees within that actual foot print.  ROW's were cleared. 

But photos of the area show trees!  But they're smaller because they're further away. 

On a home layout, backdrops would come to the rescue.

In person, on a modular layout, I do tend to keep them a bit smaller so as to make them look further away and keep the photos looking good. 

Another example would be all the forced perspective 1" and 2" trees on Mike Danneman's layout. 

So sure, add full height where it makes sense and shorter where it makes other sense. 

[Scottl]

I agree with @Sokramiketes, tree size varies a lot and is a key compositional tool.

On my old Cisco Bridge layout, foreground trees were actually oversized (scale 120'+) while far background were 1" (scale 13').  Prototype was about 40' for mature forest.  On distant slopes, I even used 10' scale trees to emphasize the transition to the green fuzz of the backdrop. 

Much of the desired effect depends on the geometry of the scenery relative to the viewers.  Most layouts are quite shallow scenes so realistic tall trees can look dramatic and appropriate.