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Writer	D K Darcey
City, Country	Grants Pass
State/Prov	OR
Scale	HO
KeyWord	Scenery

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Check out my Model Railroad Layout Page on MyRRLayout.com

Creating your own Air Fern Trees

Our URL http://claytimeceramics.net/

Summary

I have had the privelage of recieving letters from viewers of The Highlander asking the how did you do it questions and to all those who have asked those questions , thank you for your compliments as for I am just like you,an enjoyer of the hobby,for the creating of imagination, then creating a picture,It's an escape from lifes pressures.I actually do more building on the Highlander than running the trains,But; they do have an important role in the scenery.

To make Redwood or Cedar trees I use old cedar shakes that I have gathered, and air fern that can be a little difficult to find,I found mine on line at E-Bay,I bought 4 packets for about $7.00 and I still have plenty left.I next rip them into approximatley 3/8 strips by 8 to 10 inches in highth remembering that HO scale 1/8 inch equals 1 scale foot.As you can see here one of the strips is still in its square form and the one in front has been rounded and scribed for the bark or grain effect.

As you can see here I am using a fine toothed circle saw blade to create the grain effect.This is done by dragging the tree accross the blade and giving a slight twist as you go. Continue to do this till you have achieved the effect that you want.Be carefull when nearing the end as for it becomes brittle and will break fairly easy.

Next is to drill the holes for the air fern to fit into,This is done by using a dremel and a 3/64 or 1/16 inch bit which can be purchased at most building supply stores for about $2.00.Here is one of the trees stocks ready to be drilled for branches.

Here you can see what the stock looks like after the holes have been drilled and are ready to have the branches applied.When drilling the holes I space them about 3/8 of an inch apart drilling all the way through the stock and turning the stock a 1/4 turn for each progressive hole.You can space them closer but this seems to give a good effect and will make your air fern go farther.

Next we will start the application of the branches, this is done by first sticking the stock into a piece of styrofoam to hold it while you work,Next starting from the bottom and working upward squeeze or force a little bit of glue into the hole you are applying the branch to, Next have a piece of air fern fairly long for the bottom bows and insert the stem into the hole, Rotate the stock and repeate this process to the same hole from the other side,You should'nt have to apply any glue from this side if you got enough squeezed in from the opposite side.

Continue to follw this proceedure all the way up the tree, Try to keep in mind while selecting your pieces to use ones that if you have to trim them for proper branch legnth where you can use the trimmed piece. (example farther up the stock or on the opposite side)Some of the air fern you recieve might have bare stems this will work good for dead branches which add character,Get enough and you could create a lightning strike tree. This is what is so fun about Model Rail Roading is keeping your eyes open when you are out and about constantly looking for things that can be used on your layout.

And as you can see in the final picture here a small thicket of Redwood or Cedar trees completed.