Library - "Scenery - Trees, Shrubs, Bushes" Magazine Articles

Category Description: Model railroad scenery as it relates to trees.

A Quick and Easy Way of Mass-producing Coniferous Trees

Railroad Model Craftsman 1980-12 pg. 87     Scale: (none)     Author: Bob Tyson

The author shows in step-by-step photos how he constructs coniferous trees using trunks from stripwood, and foliage materials from Woodland Scenics.

A Reprise for Weeds

Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-06 pg. 69     Scale:      Author: Bill Henderson

The author stumbled on some fiber intended for use in aquarium filters, and discovered a great way to model light, airy brushes.

Acres in Inches

Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-11 pg. 81     Scale:      Author: Bill Gill

Using a thin piece of styrofoam, this article describes how to model what appears to be a deep, dark forest in just around an inch of depth. From the photos it looks to be very effective.

Add a Cornfield to Your Layout

Model Railroader 2006-09 pg. 40     Scale: HO     Author: Cody Grivno

The author shows how he made a convincing cornfield from a Busch kit.

Aspens

N-Scale 2003-07/08 pg. 20     Scale: N     Author: Kenneth L. Harstine

Using insulated wire to simulate the Aspen tree trunk.

Autumn Treetops

Model Railroader 2002-08 pg. 72     Scale: O     Author: James EuDaly

How to make trees with a focus on the Fall season.

Building Forests on the M&K Division

Model Railroader 1990-06 pg. 74     Scale: HO     Author: Don Cassler

The author describes how to mimic forest-covered mountains using lichen held in place by toothpicks. It is more of an overall effect rather than a foreground solution.

Conifers for All Occasions

Model Railroader 2006-02 pg. 42     Scale: (none)     Author: David Popp

The author shows how he builds conifer trees.

Dyeing Sawdust

Railroad Model Craftsman 1973-09 pg. 48     Scale: (none)     Author: Dave Frary & Bob Hayden

The article describes how to take plain sawdust (a popular old method of creating cheap ground cover) and coloring it to suit your needs.

Easy Cedars

N-Scale 2000-09/10 pg. 47     Scale: N     Author: Paul J. Downs

Using the foxtail grass-like weed to model N-scale cedars.

Easy Trees From Nandina Shrubs

N Scale Railroading 2006-01/02 pg. 29     Scale: (none)     Author: Larry Burkholder

The article shows how to make a tree from the branches that hold the berries of this shrub.

Forest Modeling

N-Scale 2000-07/08 pg. 72     Scale: N     Author: Don Ledger

Modeling pine tree forests. Detailed instructions, photos, and diagrams for building foreground sisal pine trees.

Making Conifer Trees

NASG Dispatch 2004-02 pg. 26     Scale:      Author: Carl Tuveson

Using old Christmas wreaths, the author stripped off their branches, painted them with spray paint, dipped them in white glue mixed with water, and sprinkled ground foam to make realistic looking conifer trees in a matter of minutes per tree.

Making Ponderosa Pines

Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-08 pg. 54     Scale: O     Author: Ken Larson

The author starts by growing his own seedlings for one or two seasons. They are baked when harvested, then prepared. The article covers in detail how he decorates the trunk and applies branches and greenery.

Making Realistic Palm Trees

Model Railroader 2002-10 pg. 101     Scale: (none)     Author: Alden Armstrong

Research, prototype, and model photos.

Making Winter Trees

Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-12 pg. 72     Scale: (none)     Author: Ken Patterson

The author describes how he uses 26-gauge floral wire to build large, realistic trees.

Making Your Own Ground Foam

Railroad Model Craftsman 1979-03 pg. 72     Scale: (none)     Author: Paul Caparatta

Using foam rubber, dye, and a wire wheel grinder to make your own ground foam.

Making a Forest With Tree-Like Thingies

N Scale Railroading 2002-11/12 pg. 50     Scale: N     Author: Kirk Reddie

Making trees using bamboo sticks and buffing pads.

Model Trackside Brush Realistically

Model Railroader 2010-12 pg. 64     Scale:      Author: Ken Patterson

Using Bachmann's wire tree branches, the author shows how he converts them into small trees and bushes, using the standard poly fiber and ground foam approach.

Modeling Foreground Trees

Model Railroader 2005-11 pg. 40     Scale: N     Author: David Popp

Creating realistic scale trees using a Super Tree starter kit from Scenic Express. The author describes his step-by-step process to preparing, soaking, painting, and adding foliage to these trees.

Modeling Realistic Pulpwood

NMRA Bulletin 2002-09 pg. 34     Scale: HO     Author: Larry Cannon

Prototype and model photos of pulpwood stacks and transportation.

More Scenery Details

N-Scale 2002-07/08 pg. 44     Scale: N     Author: John Gerdes

Various topics are covered, including water-worn rock edges, culverts, farm fences, small gates, and tree stumps.

Pine Tree Art

Model Railroader 1988-02 pg. 108     Scale: HO     Author: Carl Caiati

Building western-U.S. pine trees from a dowel as the main trunk, and copper wire for the branches.

Realistic Trees Made Easy Part One

N-Scale 2003-03/04 pg. 44     Scale: N     Author: Robert L. Hundman

Scale drawings of various trees. Preliminary work includes collecting the "leaves" and covering the armatures. Detailed instructions for Sassafras, Gray Poplar, and Eastern Cottonwood trees.

Sugar Maple Tree

N-Scale 2005-07/08 pg. 42     Scale: (none)     Author: John Palecki

Using arcwelding cable to make large Sugar Maple trees, the author describes the fairly standard way of making foreground-quality trees.

The Art of Making Trees

N-Scale 2005-07/08 pg. 25     Scale: (none)     Author: Ken Patterson

The author shows how he creates realistic trees using Super Trees material by Scenic Express. They have a nice "airy" quality to them.

The Scenery Clinic Pt VIII

Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-06 pg. 56     Scale:      Author: Paul Scoles

In this installment, Paul shows how he makes douglas firs.

The Scenery Clinic Pt. IX

Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-07 pg. 66     Scale:      Author: Paul Scoles

How to model deciduous trees.

The Scenery Clinic Pt. XIX

Railroad Model Craftsman 2012-01 pg. 78     Scale:      Author: Paul Scoles, Walt Appel

In addition to using cut up leaves for modeling fall leaves, the article also describes how to model patches of snow.

Tips for Making Realistic Scenery

Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-03 pg. 54     Scale: (none)     Author: Patricia & Burton Maxwell

The author was not happy with her husband's layout scenery, which got her involved in what it takes to create realistic scenery. This article covers perspective and composition, involving trees, background and foreground forest debris.

Top 10 Evergreen Forest Trees

Garden Railways 2005-12 pg. 43     Scale:      Author: Pat Hayward

The author describes ten small trees that can be grown to simulate scale trees for the garden railroad.

Up The Creek - Modeling a Small Creek Part 3

Model Railroad Hobbyist 2010-11/12 pg. 130     Scale:      Author: Charlie Comstock

Developing a scene that revolves around a large tree.

Western Sagebrush

Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-11 pg. 84     Scale: (none)     Author: Harold Minkwitz

Using fake fur to create sagebrush.

Western Scenery

Model Railroader 2000-04 pg. 106     Scale: (none)     Author: Pat Gerstle

This article covers how to build arid-looking scenery.