Show me your trees

I found a cool technique a while back, but I can't remember where. You twist several strands of floral wire together and cover it with spackle paste or putty of some kind. Then spread out the ends of the wire out to create branches and roots. Paint it and cover it with some kind of material to represent leaves. Here is one I did in 1/72nd scale:

The other method I've used is with real twigs or branches from trees or shrubs from the back yard. I cut them up and glue them back together, then touch up with paint and cover with some kind of leafy material. I typically use Woodland Scenics stuff, which I think looks good enough. Except for the pine tree, this method was used here, in 1/35th scale:

OK, I found the first method I was talking about:

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=135

Thanks Jon

I have used roots from the back yard myself. I just finished using pipe cleaners and tape to make a palm trees.

-Thad

When i sean this post i thought xmass tree silly me. now i know . Ron

I love the wire and floral tape method of tree making..was a little sceptical of the realism, but after adding some dried caspia, they looked ok...the palms are wire and masking tape with real leaves cut for the fronds....I like to use as many natural items as I can, because nothing looks more real than real.

The fronds look great nice touch. I with ya on using natural items they just look better.

Thad

KINGTHAD

What is your fav. way to make a relistic tree

Depends on what you're trying to portray.  Here's a winter tree sans leaves done by the twisted wire method...

... and here are trees using twigs from a real tree..

Don

I used a variation of the methods already mentioned above.

 Covered the wire with air drying art clay and textured the bark with a stiff brush

I added some steel wool to create bulk for the foliage and primed it all in grey

 I painted the trunk with dark brown

 Did some dry brushing and washes on the trunk

Added some Noch leaves in various shades.

 For my palm tree I cut leaves from thick foil.

Painted them with an aibrush

 Made the trunk from a bamboo skewer wrapped in masking tape, string and tissue paper. Painte it grey and did some washes and dry brushing. Coconuts are made from coriander seeds.

Completed palm

Here are some trees I did many many years ago:

Nice work everyone keep em coming. Anyone have a bush?

Thad