Modeling Desert Juniper Trees | Workbench Wednesday

This week's Workbench Wednesday is a "how-to" on modeling high desert Juniper trees. Sometimes called cedars, these gnarled and ancient trees dot the hillsides and canyon rims of the American Southwest. Since there are no commercial products that come close to the look of these unique trees, I scratchbuild mine from twisted wire, modeling paste, and ground foam. These techniques and materials work great for other types of old, twisted trees as well.
Thanks for watching!
Dave
Acrylic modeling paste: a.co/d/gEK3oxl
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[@dexecuter18]

Apple Barrel Paints, Aileen's Tacky glue, craft store fodder. You are either getting the best NG modelling you've ever seen or a kid's first take home arts and crafts project, never an in between.

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Materials are materials. It's how you use them that matters.

[@wolfgangpfeilergartenbahnd6530]

Very interesting idea of how a tree is made. 👍👍👍🍀

[@Seanmmvi]

A fine model there, Dave. Well done

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Thanks Sean

[@bradcraig6676]

I've seen a zillion tree making vids, your braided wire method is genius.

[@RobBean-wf9ie]

Thanks Dave, I wouldn’t have thought about using the twisted wire. I was thinking of twisting the thin wire as I went. I like this look better.

[@allenlandis4504]

that's a really neat tree

[@billbenak3012]

Thanks Dave, I’ve never tried picture wire, will now

[@JAnthony-bc6qm]

Beautiful! Dreaming of having my own On30 layout someday!

[@TheSteamTrainMan]

Super cool🎉

[@christopherdahle9985]

This has been a really important modeling lesson for me. One of the major flaws in the layouts I built as a kid was the dearth of trees and other forms of foliage. I never quite understood how to make them and purchasing commercially made trees was never something I wanted to do. Currently I don't have the space to start a real layout, but I realized, watching this video that there are lots of things I can still do as a break from the home renovations that must be completed before the storage room can become a train room. I can knock out some trees in a half hour or so each evening and that would give me an inventory of items I might otherwise neglect to add to a layout once there is track laid and trains running. I can make trees even though I don't know where they will be planted.

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Sometimes you just have to start moving to find out where you're going.

[@marilyn5208]

Great video. I love Juniper trees.

[@Johnny-tt8zc]

Thank you for sharing this technique.

[@scottmccloud9029]

Man Dave! That's slicker than owl poop! I'll sure have to try that.
Thank you and to all that asked for this tutorial.

[@michaelcorley9589]

Thank you, Dave. I've made wire trees, but never from picture wire. Great tip.. Your trees look fantastic. This video is what makes following your thread worth while.

[@doncure2019]

nice job Dave

[@johnbeck3270]

These trees can grow in some of the craziest places! There is one growing out of a rock on Sherman Hill in Wyoming.

[@trishameigs1554]

they look great! Thanks for sharing!

[@cerisekappes580]

This method looks awesome!! ❤😊❤

[@Ian-242]

Great build, I will be trying this out 👍

[@charlesheinlein1923]

Thanks Dave
Nice enjoyable modeling episode.

[@folkertvanwijk5168]

Nice tree! I have seen rather a lot video's on making trees and make them myself also. But this is a little different kind of tree and approach. Thanks for showing! Now I, here in the Netherlands, have to look for the wire you used.

[@martytaylor2004]

Thanks for this Dave. Fantastic tutorial. More knowledge……..better results!

[@loispadgett6306]

Thanks Dave learned alot will try this out. That tree really looks great on the layout.
GOD BLESS 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖

[@pbyfr]

Interesting technique, quite different from what I used (flower wires, and fine copper from electric wire for the fine branch if needed).
The finished tree is very nice.

[@user-sv4pj5jl8n]

Dave, how about a workshop on Southwestern Critters. $

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Good suggestion!

[@LeonKolenda]

I love this, but to do this for N-Scale, sure is hard. That's a big issue I have with my N-Scale, is that some things are just to small to make to look good. Trade off's!

[@markdeschane4467]

Dave, How does the guy on the balcony of your Stamp Mill, get down to the bottom of the building?

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

With the stairs I haven't built yet!

[@aussiefrenchman-hobbytable9960]

Hi Dave great job , thinking of this method for a weeping willow, what would you recommend for the leaves in n scale , regards Marc

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Check out the Scenic Express website. They have some willow trees but don't sell the foliage separately, unfortunately. Still, you could build your own armature and use their foliage: www.sceneryexpress.com/searchprods.asp

[@aussiefrenchman-hobbytable9960]

@@ThunderMesaStudio thanks 😎😎😎