Conifers anyone?

Modeling Subjects Scratchbuilding
1

I need some tips on scratchbuilding some pine trees, specifically Japanese Podocarpus… I put a pic below, does anybody know how to make these?

Thanks,

Personman906

2

Trees are IMO left best to purchased from someone who makes really really good trees. Quality of trees varies by pricepoint so most really good ones cost a bit but are worth it in the end as they last a long time. I’d spend some time visiting the ModelRailroader forum for tips on making your own and Walthers.com to cruise their product selection to find what you’re looking for.

3

I agree with the modelrailroader reference. Woodland Scenics is the big name in model railroading and you may quite possibly find what you want from them

4

I scratchbuild all of my own trees, in fact it was trees and rock faces that got me into model making. Here is a sample of my own diorama, it is a larger scale, I use 1:22. I know that is not a normal scale but I did have a reason for doing it when I got started, now I just am so used to making everything in that scale I am comfortable with it.

To the question at hand, Personman, I can make the tree, it wont have the exact filiage because i can’t make a perfect scale evergreen needle but I will produce a tree that if you have the correct landscaping people who know trees will be able to identify the genus if not species.

Here is a photo of my Indian diorama showing the foliage that I can make.

If you are interested in a custom tree, contact me through the site with your email and I would need to know the scale and size you want the tree.

5

It depends very much on the scale. If you are working on a small scale diorama what is usable is far different than for something in 1:24 or 1:35 scale.

6

Very true Don, that is why I have so much trouble in the medium scales, I have made trees and scenes for models in scale from 1:72 up to 1:12 for railroads all the way to dollhouse landscaping and it is easier for me to make a pine type tree in the smaller scale where the individual needles are too small to be seen, when I get up to 1:24 and 1:12 scales the trees need an approximation of needles to look right.

Here are two trees I made for my mothers display, she has a collection of antique, hand carved duck decoys. I used 1:35 scale for these because of the height of the display case.

7

Those look great! Very nice.