Realistic trees using wire, sea moss and MiniNatur foliage nets - Birch and Oak

[Peithetairos]

Greetings,

for my Carthaginian field camp I wanted to try my hand on a birch tree and used this opportunity to also make a step by step tutorial for my Blog.

Step-by-step instructions and WIP pictures can be found there, it follows the shorthand:

Cut the sea moss to size and shape it. Spray with thinned down PVA, then cover with wood filler to achieve a bark texture. Paint the bark with grey tones to achieve the typical birch look. Finally add MiniNatur foliage nets.

Time needed without drying times: About an hour. Costs per tree of this size are 2 Euro, which is quite reasonable.

[pocoloco]

Very nice! Thanks for the tutorial.

[Silent Invader]

 

I do like birch trees

[joekano]

Those look really good! Thanks for sharing the instructions!

[DoctorPete]

Thank you.  This is quite handy!   

[Timbor]

Looks great!

My main concern with using naturally sourced products for scenery like this - how durable is it?  What is the likelihood that if it falls off a table, or is transported/stored in a box with other terrain that the sea moss tree trunk will get broken?

[FramFramson]

Those look excellent!

I agree with Timbor - how is the durability?

[Peithetairos]

Hi,

in comparison to trees that are made entirely of wire the sea moss will obviously not be as resilient to bending and crushing damage. However, the sea moss, after PVA  and wood filler have been applied it adds quite some stability to the twig. The twigs are also quite flexible and do not break easily. The foliage nets hold the tree together and add further stability. I didn't try, but I'd say if the birch would fall on the carpet or even tiled floor it would much rather bounce of than break. With a wire tree the impact would deform the wire.

It also helps if you pin the bottom section, where you'll end up taking up the tree all the time.

I'd say it holds up well for gaming, but it might be a good idea to pad your storage container with some foam and I would not staple them on top of each other. It depends a bit how careful one is in general with miniatures. If you consider them to be playing pieces to be carried loose in a bag I would not recommend this kind of tree. If you paint them to a high standard and have a carry case add a slot for the trees and you are good to go.

[Peithetairos]

Out of any reason the tree topic still fascinates me and I wrote another tutorial for a more advanced tree building technique.

Using wire and seamoss I created an old oak tree. Suitable for the wargamig table, but also scenic bases or dioramas.

Oak Tutorial

Enjoy!

[pocoloco]

Holy .... ! 

Superb, top-notch and all that and beyond.

Once again, thanks for the tut.

[FramFramson]

Holy shit!

[white knight]

Those look like real trees to me! 

[Peithetairos]

Thank you all for the comments. I really went all in with this one and I am glad you like the final result. I guess I'll have to upgrade my olive trees and meditteranean pines now...

[pocoloco]

If you do go the upgrade route, I hope you will treat us with a tut on those trees as well 

[Golgotha]

Gosh these really are fantastic you should be proud. Where can one in the UK get hold of tree moss battling to find any - does it perhaps go by another name? Certainly can't seem to find any on ebay.