Ultra Realistic Trees - Cheap Trees That Look Amazing! - Model Scenery

There’s no cheaper way to make a forest full of trees than finding the perfect armature on the side of the road… However most of the time you find great looking twigs they are either the wrong shape or don’t have enough smaller branches to make a good small scale tree!
That’s where this tutorial comes to help, the technique I use here to make these great looking HO scale trees can also be used on any type of tree making exercise whether you are using twigs from the garden, super trees you purchased or even using the plastic tree armatures made by many manufacturers like Woodland Scenics.
If you're after the tool that I use to hold the tree (third hand soldering station) you can purchase them from 'Micro-Mark', they sell a range of tools for hobbyists and this is a very useful tool to have at your disposal.
Third hand: www.micromark.com/Third-Hand-S...
Also don't forget to use the promo code 'boulder' when shopping at Micro-Mark and you will be able to save 10% of your order.
The main tip you’ll probably find from this video is the usefulness of Baking powder and Super Glue… There are literally a hundred different modelling applications we could use with these two products used together.
Also, if you are enjoying the video please consider supporting me over on Patreon, every little bit really helps.
Music:
Roboskater by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: audionautix.com/

[@wanderingintime]

Baking soda instantly curing superglue... invaluable tip sir.

[@WalkRobotFilm]

wanderingintime that is the best tip I’ve heard in a long time and then I heard it again on a video from tested where they worked on miniatures and I was hooked with this method of curing. I used Krazy glue and baking soda for the tree I was making and after you paint it,those seams are amazing

[@waltdog123]

I literally just said to myself “hmm...” never knew that. Then read your reply..lol.

[@wanderingintime]

@@waltdog123 apparently super glue can also make cardboard as stiff and sandable as wood. havent tried it myself but I've seen it on youtube. good to experiment with, especially in miniature.

[@waltdog123]

@@wanderingintime interesting but I wonder how much it would take.. And the risk of disaster seems high lol.

[@wanderingintime]

@@waltdog123 look up youtuber Heather Tracy . she has awesome stuff imo but the video DIY foxes (or some such name) shows how she applies the super glue to cereal boxes or 'chipboard' as it it called. she uses it a lot but that is the quickest one I could find without spending too much time!

[@paulrippcord506]

I find these to be some of the most relaxing videos on KZbin in very much the same way watching How It's Made or Bob Ross.

[@LukeTowan]

Thanks for the fantastic compliment Paul 😊

[@GreatBasinCarShops]

You are the Bob Ross of model railroading, apparently

[@luuk341]

Paul Rippcord speaks the absolute truth!

[@MechbossBoogie]

Probably going to watch the whole series, now. This is probably the best looking method I've seen for making trees.

[@B1LL01]

Does anyone else who watches these videos have no interest in making models, they simply just find it interesting and calming?

[@LukeTowan]

I get a few different people saying similar things, it's good to know that even though you don't build the models you still enjoy watching 😊 Thanks

[@rencanajahad]

Yess

[@sory27a]

B1LL01 I do

[@micmic_]

YES ☺️

[@MohamedMohamed-mj1tu]

yes

[@jazzman1626]

Wow! No wonder the trees look realistic it’s trees made from... bits of trees! Best trees I’ve seen.

[@madnessbydesign1415]

Another winner! I've never seen the baking soda trick before, but it looks great! I'm always amazed at the pacing of your videos: everything is thoroughly explained, but it never drags. Concise, clear, lively, and fun. Well done again...

[@ejameskehoe]

Thank you. As a first-time diorama builder, your lesson is clear, helpful, and indeed calming. When I showed my spouse, she was inspired to suggest using dried Greek oregano for small and large bushes.

[@dwcwoody]

Hi Luke, I started to watch your videos recently and I'm very impressed. I'm an older (68) modeler and have been model railroading since I was about 6, and you certainly can teach an old dog how to do new tricks. You have a clear way of instructing followers about your techniques with the construction of scenery modeling that makes it easy to understand. In some of the groups I'm involved in, I suggest they watch your videos to learn how to make scenery the best way possible. Thank you for sharing as sometimes I have a difficulty in learning and you have made it much more easier for this old bloke to learn.

[@0406angelica]

An incredible meticulousness and precision in everything. Masterfully! Thank you,very much!

[@byronsagun1379]

I'm an architecture student and scale models are very common project, your videos are very helpful to me. Fantastic work!

[@MindfulConnections2040]

Are you done with your study?

[@w.rustylane5650]

I model on the cheap. I make all my own ground scatter (flocking) out of either sawdust that gets coloured in the electric coffee grinder my wife gave me for modeling, or foam rubber done same way in the coffee grinder. That way you can control the colours and the granularity of your finished product. I also make my own iron oxide (rust) by soaking about 4 pieces of 0000 steel wool in a quart jar with white vinegar. After about a month sitting in the window, I pour the mixture into a large pan (I use my old 11" x 14" stainless steel photo fixer trays when I had a darkroom) or baking dish and wait for the mixture to completely dry (usually about 2 to 3 weeks). Then I take a single edge razor blade and pulverize the contents into a fine powder and store it in little tins. Each batch I've done comes out a little different in colour. Then you use the rust as you would any weathering powder or chalk. It looks real, 'cause it IS real rust! I also colour my own chalk with acrylic paint and food colouring. I never buy weathering powders. Instead, I go to the dollar store and buy women's makeup in the little plastic containers. For $1.00 you can get quite a collection of different colours and they adhere better than weathering powders. For trees, I use the Nandena bush after the little red berries fall off, it leaves a perfect tree trunk (armature). I also have a TON of lichen growing out back on the hill behind my house. When using the Nandena bush tree armatures, you can paint them whatever colour you want--even grey for aspen trees. Cover the armatures with lichen, seafoam or whatever you want, then add your own home-made flocking and you're done. For pine trees, I use florist wire (wrapped) doubled and bits of jute cut in1 to 1 1/2" laid in the wire, then using a drill, twist the wire while holding the other end in a pair of pliers.. I also use barbeque bamboo skewers with pig hair (horse hair) furnace filters (they're already green); have to paint the skewers first. And I never use spray paint since I use my airbrush for all my painting. I can use either acrylic or oil base paints; I usually use one airbrush for acrylic and the other one for oil base paints. Cheers from W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern Tennessee

[@pherja]

Luke is the rare modeler. He has both the skill AND the eye. I can't recommend his videos enough.

[@Abrougall]

I don't even build any models and never have but your videos are just so well made that I always watch them anyway!

[@LukeTowan]

thanks Abraham, really glad you enjoy watching them for the enjoyment 😀 It's good to know people just appreciate the process even if they aren't intending to replicate it. Thanks again 😀

[@Abrougall]

No Problem keep it up!

[@josh1674]

Best tree technique I’ve ever seen!

[@obi1988]

I love that you used part of a real tree. Its been holdn me back but now im ready to make some nice, real looking trees. Tyty sir.

[@7spiritualcompass706]

Wow. I'm going watch these over and over again while practicing on some branches. Very realistic. Thank you

[@antjeklausmelgarejoroman1419]

Wundervoll, endlich mal besondere Bäumchen. Frohes Weihnachtsfest und ein guten Rutsch in das Neue Jahr. Grüße aus Deutschland. Great vom Germany.

[@patsmith5947]

These are so cute, I can’t hardly believe how great he make a little miniature tree look.

[@alravella2548]

Luke I watch all your videos so I have seen your progression not only in your modeling techniques but in your video product. Great work and keep it up. I am an old dog now but I can still learn and you have taught me a lot of very useful and cost effective tricks and tips. - Al

[@LukeTowan]

Thank you Al 🙂

[@abstractcreations246]

your the best I've seen so far make model trees, glad I came across this channel

[@nails6365]

You make it look so easy! truly professional work, thank you for sharing. Brighton, UK.

[@TV-se4ce]

Beautiful 😍

[@Augusto_Tenorio]

Now I know how to make good trees for my model!

[@geofreyr]

so therapeutic to watch, great work!

[@artcodemedia7685]

Hi ! i watched every one of your videos and literally YOU ARE THE BEST in this business ! Good luck !

[@carlossena7217]

You are a true artist. Congratulations.

[@peculiarpreacher9083]

Man. You are the best out there!!!! Class!

[@miguelmaxime8814]

You are amazing I love watching you work with these miniature models. Love ya. Much love 💘

[@winkipinky]

FANTASTIC Videos... Everything looks so great!

[@bradster1708]

Amazing looking tree, I will be giving this technique a try

[@Lidsville]

That looks amazing mate, well done

[@daveogarf]

You, sir, are AMAZING!

[@keithmiller554]

Quality TOP OF THE TREE !!

[@douglaswoods2554]

Love your use of accessories in order to make more viewable

[@newgravityfilms]

Excellent tutorial!! Thank you!

[@yvelleartstudio]

Amazing work with simple materials, the amount of detail is mesmerizing. Although it's a lot of work, it's definitely worth it.

[@Moshartz]

I love this tutorial, thank you so much 4 sharing your knowledge. This is exaclty what I was looking for

[@krazytrainguy]

Thanks for presenting this video. I am always in pursuit of making low cost trees and will give this idea a whirl.

[@denizegem3807]

baking powder and superglue is the best duo ever thank you for the tip!

[@TheSlipCoach]

Baking soda?! Ingenious!

[@johnhood9567]

Lovely work!

[@Jyotianytimenewstyle]

sooooooo Amazing 😍😍😍😍👌👌👌👍👍👍

[@dineshvyas]

Very beautiful.

[@davidc6742]

Splendid work!

[@E111Bellota]

Un gran trabajo, Felicidades.

[@chronus1015]

thanks for this info and technique-will definitely look for similarly dried vegetation to use!!!

[@kadriyasalmanova9056]

Excellent! Thank you so much x

[@markgriffith3076]

Your vids are so AWESOME and helpful Luke, thanks mate🙏

[@jusam6854]

Of all the videos I've watched about making trees and bushes, this is by far the best. Absolutely brilliant use of natural materials. Yours are the best looking most realistic trees I've seen. I'm making a table top train set for my grandson. I have a 3d printer but it takes way to long to make a bunch of trees and they don't look half as good as yours. As I've been shopping online for sets of trees and bushes I was gobsmacked at the prices. 30/40 count tree sets for 20/30/40$, and that is ridiculous. I'm out of the house in a few on the hunt for some dead bushes ha ha, thanks for taking the time to make and upload this little bit of brilliance.

[@AbsharInks]

Always delivering the best content!! Such a helpful channel. You're amazing Luke.

[@LukeTowan]

Thank you Abshar, glad you liked the video 😀

[@timothyjerry2455]

That was awesome. Great work. Thank you for sharing that! 👍🏻

[@1701paxton]

That was awesome!. I never thought when I am out driving or bush walking to grab some bits of salt bush, thanks mate!.

[@Caring7982]

Es usted un maestro en el arte de la miniaturización!!!!!

[@Fred-cc8qb]

Pretty dang awesome. Thanks for the tips.

[@mehhhness]

Yes!! I can finally recognise easy-to-get materials from a KZbin model maker! G'day fellow Australian :D

[@pauldaciuk3320]

Just found this channel and now I won't sleep tonight cos I gotta binge on ur content. Would love to have the artistic mind to do stuff like this dude

[@nicf.6378]

That's *the* idea !!! Thank you from.Germany 👍💐🍀🍀🍀🐈

[@johnhermanson5249]

Great looking trees, much better than commonly available plastic.

[@pabitramohangayen6338]

My head is whirling to find it so amazing. Yoe are awesome dear sir. Salutes

[@forestbear1]

your videos are fantastic. a suggestion, if possible, is to list the supplies you use. this would make it easier for novices like me to go shopping online. thanks for an amazing video

[@redshoesgirl]

i totally agree!

[@samoyha1]

YES

[@danegan3151]

Have no train models, however, some of your terrain pieces go great with my 40K hobby. Cheers mate!

[@aquabluerose7734]

Same here, I only have a front of a small train and don't build worlds for it, but I have dolls of my OCs (original characters) and I realized their fantasy themed world would look a lot better with plants. I wonder how I would scale this up though bc the dolls are kinda huge (many are 17 inches to 2ft tall) and I might want to make the trees look young or bonsai or else they will have to be 4 ft tall or larger... Yikes. The castle for them is already gonna be 7 feet tall...

[@Bjoerns-Eisenbahnwelt]

I follow your videos in Germany am also from Germany. Find the right thing you do as I continue to follow your videos. Your video where you build the fence I am the best will also try to make my model railroad system so. Top keep going.

[@LukeTowan]

thanks mate 😊 Good luck building the fence, I hope you continue to enjoy my videos 😊

[@valborchardt3596]

Thanks Luke x

[@adrianniemiec8669]

Great tutorial video !

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

I like the different layers that you placed on the tree to give it definition.

[@artisan2287]

Excellent work

[@davidkelsey2864]

Great video, very professionally done. How could anyone click an unlike on this!

[@milehighmodelgarage7929]

Awesome! Love the detail!

[@keithdouglass3618]

a drop koala came down and took the car. nice detail. easy to do and looks more realistic than shop stock. Keith Australia

[@Terranscapes]

The gel superglue and baking soda combo is fantastic. It fills the gaps so effectively. I've known about the combo before but never really considered it seriously. I can see many applications for the technique. Thanks for another great video!

[@Alexitine]

I now know where to get my tree armatures from thanks to your great tutorial. I recognised your shopping location for your tree armatures as I don't live that far away. There should be more tutorials like yours, well done.

[@angelloca375]

Always number One!

[@modeltreestore]

Definitely a master. I was slammed for daring to start doing videos without being as good as you and told to come watch so here I am! lol. Brilliant insights and I'll certainly watch many more and use you as a mentor to improve my presentation. Thanks for spending the time doing this.

[@boris1932]

Great video Luke! Have to try this in the future.

[@bridgethooper5258]

Love it, thank you!!

[@johnkelley9877]

Very realistic looking tree! Good job.

[@LukeTowan]

Thanks John, glad you enjoyed watching

[@donaldmoore8920]

Awesome method for realistic trees

[@LukeTowan]

thanks Donald

[@Larrikins54]

Well produced, good vision and clear narrative. Great job Luke. Love ya work.

[@LukeTowan]

Thanks mate, glad you're enjoying the videos

[@yvesrey5494]

Jolie rendu, beau travail félicitation.

[@tonimancer8075]

Great stuff Luke very informative.

[@DennisDuboisLifeview]

Your tutorials are always so top shelf! Beautiful work.

[@LukeTowan]

Thanks Dennis, glad you are enjoying the videos

[@Petrolhead350cui]

Love your video's and work Luke.

[@escapefromny2012]

Love your work and videos. Thanks.

[@planty1727]

This is so helpful, cheers!

[@mayrakopjansen2814]

It’s wonderful

[@josephemmanuel9824]

Great work and perfect

[@alrozanski8352]

Superb video Luke, I am in the process trying this.

[@pulauproduction2376]

Awesome. Great. Love it.

[@magikdust2095]

Looks amazing. Great video...

[@railemotion]

Amazing trees!!! 🤩👍🏼😍

[@theladybaltimore]

So cool! Thanks!

[@Wachtmeister-Ruediger]

Hello Luke, now i've see soo much to your Vid's and i'm everywhere surprised HOW SIMPLY it is, when YOU make the sceneries. FOR ME, you'r one of the best modellers ever i've see. "Officer Rüdiger" , Germany

[@niconico7281]

Fantastic!

[@VanadiumBromide]

Cool and good.

[@minitrain2746]

Bonjour Luke. Très belle vidéo, c'est un plaisir que de regarder vos réalisations. Continuez de nous régaler avec ces réalisations. J'espère pouvoir mettre en place toute les astuces que vous nous dévoilez. Bonne continuation.

[@georgebratis9450]

I v had so much help from you, cheers!!!

[@mammaliturchi54]

very very beautiful

[@PeterCPRail8748]

Luke more fantastic work thanks for sharing

[@hilceramirezaranda.5792]

Wish me luck with my model, it's almost finished and this is going to give it a lot of life. THANK YOU!

[@petej3800]

Post it so we can see

[@abubakarali9296]

👍👍👍.....TQ. Greetings from Malaysia.