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Super Tree Clinic
One of my train buddies offered to do a clinic on manufacturing Super Tree
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To save time, I prep the area where we were going to make the tress and waited for my friends to show up.
To of my friends prep the trees so we can paint then with flat black paint and hang them on the line to day
We then soak trees in white glue solution (1:5 mixture) for 60 to 90 seconds. Next over newspaper, we use a shaker of course ground mixed green mixture. Gently shake mixture over top and sides of tree to desired level of foliage cover.
We then use hairspray and coated all sides of the tress. This ensures the foliage stay one until you add them to you layout
Finally the fun begin. We started to planting the trees on my layout
Materials Needed:
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Package of Scenic Express Supertrees
Medium to large plastic basin or bowl
White Glue
Woodland Scenics Coarse Turf Light Green Shaker (#T1363)
Woodland Scenics Coarse Turf Medium Green Shaker (#T1364)
Woodland Scenics Coarse Turf Dark Green Shaker (#T1365)
Can of flat black spray paint
Spool of string
Clothes pins (enough for the number of trees you want to make at one time)
Tweezers
Foam insulation board (1’ x 2’) for storing finished trees prior to installing on layout
Newspaper
Latex gloves
Very thick hold hair spray
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Preparation
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Matte Medium mixture: In the plastic basin / bowl combine 1 part white glue to 5 parts water. Mix thoroughly.
Foliage: In a large paper bag or on newspaper pour out the Woodland Scenics Light, Medium and Dark green course ground cover and mix together. Refill the empty shaker containers with the mixed greens.
Drying Area: Run a line of string across an area chosen to dry the trees. Secure both ends of the street. Hang clothes pins on the line and ensure line can support the weight of the clothes pins.
Trees: Separate super trees and select several realistic looking trees. With tweezers, gently remove any large leaves from each tree. Spray each tree from the top and bottom with flat black spray paint. Let dry on clothes line.
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Tree Assembly
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Soak trees in white glue solution (1:5 mixture) for 60 to 90 seconds.
Remove tree and gently shake off any large droplets of glue mixture.
Over newspaper, use a shaker of course ground mixed green mixture. Gently shake mixture over top and sides of tree to desired level of foliage cover. Turn tree upside down and repeat.
Hang tree on clothes line. Let dry for 20 minutes.
Remove tree and coat all sides with hairspray.
Hang tree on clothes line. Let dry for 30 minutes.
Gently place tree in foam insulation board until ready to install on layout. (You will need to pre-drill holes in select locations.)
Let dry overnight before installing.
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Highlights (optional)
To highlight tree foliage as if in direct sunlight, simply apply a light misting of flat yellow spray paint to the foliage.
Straightening Crooked Trees
Some trees come out of the box crooked. To straighten the tree before painting or applying the white glue mixture, do the following:
Option 1
Use a light soldering iron (approx. 30 watts)
Place tree on a hard surface with the crook of the tree facing upward.
Apply gentle pressure downward on the tree to straighten it out.
Apply the soldering iron to the area of the crook only long enough to weaken the crook, but not burn the tree. This will take the crook out of the tree.
Proceed with prepping the tree and tree assembly as described above.
Option 2
Soak the tree in the white glue mixture as described above.
Hang the tree on the clothesline upside down.
Clip a clothes pin to the top of the tree and let dry overnight. The weight of the clothes pin will keep the tree straight while the white glue mixture dries and hardens the tree.
Paint the tree with flat black paint.
Spray the tree with hairspray.
Apply course green ground cover as described above. Let dry for 30 minutes.
Reapply hair spray. Let dry for 30 minutes.
Planting Trees
Drill a pilot hole a little larger than the tree trunk.
Drop a small amount of white glue in the hole and insert the tree.
Brace or hold tree until glue has set.
Hardening Tree Trunks
SuperTrees are fragile. To harden the tree trunk and provide a more stable base of the tree follow the instructions below:
Hold the tree in the desired position, touching the trunk to the platform.
Drip 4 to 5 drops of ZAP CA+ glue an inch above the trunk allowing the CA+ to run down the trunk forming a small puddle at the base of the tree.
The CA+ will quickly set and anchor the tree. The glue will harden on the trunk and reinforce the stalk
More information and tutorial videos available at:
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The about info was from a good friend. Look at the my web link page to see he layout at THE NICKEL CITY LINE
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