Modeling The Ultimate Model Tree | The Broad Leaf Maple - Vlog #62

No tree is perfect. However, anyone can improve their modeling skill if they research and practice. This episode will demonstrate how I overcome the fear of failure through practice. Subsequently, confidence comes when we are not afraid to fail. A decent tree will always be the result of a confident modeler. Be creative, fail forward, and watch your confidence grow like a tree!
Cheers.

[@LeeK-31]

Gretzky and later Michael Scott from The Office quote… epic. I’d say this version would look right at home anywhere in North America and the leaves look great.

[@boomerdiorama]

;-)

[@larrydee8859]

Thanks again Boomer, for another great deciduous tree, and idea developing, modeling video! I learn so much, from your great creative modeling videos! What a beautiful, positive learning experience! Thanks again, Boomer!

[@boomerdiorama]

My pleasure!

[@FarlandHowe]

Seriously wonderful. What beautiful trees you can make. Lovin’ it. Rob

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you. Have fun!

[@jcjackson726]

Thank you! You’re really selling me on the wire trees. I like the fact that they remain flexible. If they get bumped they won’t break AND as you mentioned you can “sculpt” the tree into shape. Being a long-time admirer/student of bonsai I’m always looking at trees and branch structure. You make some great points for this technique to building trees.

[@boomerdiorama]

These trees are almost bullet proof. Really tough and flexible. They take some work but once you get into the groove you can turn out adequate numbers. Cheers,

[@troyb1733]

Thanks Boomer,awesome,just an awesome way to build beautiful trees. I bet the Arbor Lodge wishes you could build for them.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! I'm not out of the woods yet though . . . lol.

[@Madonsteamrailways]

Gorgeous!! Another tree extravaganza!! Just what I need!!!!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you!

[@Madonsteamrailways]

This is the best video you’ve put onto You Tube so far. It’s showing me that it’s possible to have realistic trees and landscaping on a model railroad layout!!

[@boomerdiorama]

Glad it was helpful!

[@giulius7176]

Great looking tree…. Thanks for sharing!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks for watching!

[@modeltrainaficionado7195]

your trees look really nice! thank you for showing us your tree building technique! definitely going to try it!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you and you are welcome! Cheers.

[@ronprzygodzki5838]

You are right - what am I waiting for? I'm out to Michales and getting the wire to give this a try. Love the videos. Keep them coming!!!

[@boomerdiorama]

Enjoy!

[@dennisbisconti4583]

Another great video I am trying to learn from you model railroaders on these trees this will come in handy when I build my diramas for my model cars and trucks sorry for my misspelling a bit tired after work I never stop learning from you guys keep up the great work 👍😃

[@boomerdiorama]

These trees will work in any situation. Cheers.

[@mikeburton8687]

Super cool technique and awesome looking trees...just say not to plastic trees!! I really like your work I have learned so much and I think I can do this!! Thanks Boomer have a wonderful day!!

[@boomerdiorama]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@JohnAPrescott]

Outstanding yet again!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jstockton303]

Great lesson! Thanks for the series on building custom trees. I like the Barking Dog, I thought maybe the postman show up… then I got it. I’m going to be modeling Aspens, the bark is very smooth, so I’m planning covering the wire with fiber paste, which one would use to give that smooth finish but still have some texture so it does just look like paint. Again thanks the guidance to start building my own trees.

[@boomerdiorama]

Sounds great! Thanks for watching and commenting John! Cheers.

[@Ax89]

Good audio volume, great video recording, but most of all, such great modeling tips, thank you! You deserve 100x more viewers.

[@boomerdiorama]

Wow, thank you! I always wondered about the volume. It's hard to tell from the viewers end so thanks for the tip. Cheers.

[@dathanpoole871]

This tutorial was great. You definitely have me feeling like I can do this. During the winter time when so many trees are bare I find myself driving down the road just looking at the bare branches and I can see the work that you've done. Thank you for this teaching and your inspiration.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you and I am glad it was helpful! I have been staring at trees, in the way you describe, my whole life. ;-)

[@dathanpoole871]

@@boomerdiorama lol well you did say that it's very relaxing for you so, you're blessed then.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@dathanpoole871 Yes I am, but because of the Lord He allows it so. ;-)

[@dathanpoole871]

@@boomerdiorama amen brother

[@ericp6612]

Great lesson! Thank you!

[@boomerdiorama]

Glad you liked it!

[@laspiedrasrailroad]

Another home run 🌳

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you Chuck. How's the layout coming along? . . .

[@laspiedrasrailroad]

@@boomerdiorama because we live in Page full time and yuma part time I haven't worked on i since Xmas

[@boomerdiorama]

@@laspiedrasrailroad I see . . . O.K. Sounds good ;-)

[@joelvale3887]

Since all my trees are made of wire, I glue a magnet at the bottom of each tree and one on the ground or a metal plate and they stay put

[@boomerdiorama]

That sounds like a cool idea! I like it! Cheers.

[@kennedygauger4680]

Both conifers and deciduous modeling! Thanks. The deciduous could work work for shrubs too, wouldn’t it? Maybe using smaller gauge wire. I’m thinking it might be nice to try with Redbuds and/or Japanese Yews. Fantastic video!

[@boomerdiorama]

I use this method for shrubs , snags and old growth limbs as well. Cheers.

[@th8780]

"We miss 100 percent of the tree we don't model". Didn't Wayne Gretzky say that? Great stuff. I'm looking forward to you painting the river because I have a river scene on my train layout that is waiting to be painted.

[@boomerdiorama]

I think he meant goals missed when you don't shoot or something. ;-)

[@gregbowenart]

@@boomerdiorama Zig Ziglar is supposed to have said, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”

[@hondachopper6978]

Gave you a shout out about your tree making videos on the HO Model Railroading FB page.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks for that! Much appreciated! Cheers Boomer.

[@ordoarchitectumhobbyworksh9738]

Nice video mate !

[@boomerdiorama]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@paulhayton3423]

I think one of the most surprising things I have learned is that trees and buildings are substantially bigger than what we imagine..

[@boomerdiorama]

And yet they are only 100' foot trees in HO Scale. Cheers.

[@rafaelvoncina6036]

A sound, flexible base and light layers... All of a sudden I thought of Auguste Escoffier - roi des cuisiniers et cuisinier des rois. There are parallels in your work Boomer. Anyway, those sisal fibers you mention are another great idea. Works too. Will you be showing us those tree root bits you added to the tree on the bank in front of the brewery? Did you add them in situ or built them separately? I can't quite see how one would make a solid connection if they are built separately. The use of additional sound effects hasn't gone unnoticed. You've gone all playful in December! Love it!

[@boomerdiorama]

I do have content in post for the trunk and root modeling. Cheers.

[@rafaelvoncina6036]

@@boomerdiorama but of course you do! 😃

[@mikestrains23]

The tree with trunk and Creases looks amazing …

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you.

[@gregbowenart]

I am assuming the dog 🐕 noises during the ”barking the tree” were NOT accidental (but edited)? Have you modeled a flowering dogwood, redbud, or similar trees), e.g., adding white or pink flowers after leaves? These are common understory trees in Eastern US. Dogwoods also turn reddish-purple in the fall.

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes. The dog sound was added in. Tree color is subjective. I will touch up mine with an airbrush later once I view them collectively in the scene. Color is also subjective depending on the distance, time of day, weather, light, shadow, scale, etc. I don't usually guage color by standing next to the tree. I like to stand back fifty feet or more. ;-)

[@phillipgrey]

I use Gorrila Glue for a stronger bond. I've tested my trees outdoor in the elements and it's held up so far. I'm still experimenting.

[@boomerdiorama]

Whatever glue works is fine. Matte medium is more than adequate for me. I can also mix it with all my water based paints. ;-)

[@douglaspolinder9232]

Well you nailed it again Boomer. Since I model the GN between White Rock and Everett I have to model big leaf maples. Was wondering how I was going to do that but now I think I know....

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you Douglas. I mean at least they sort of look like maples if you know what I mean. I am really in the zone right now. Check out the community tab latest pics. ;-)

[@douglaspolinder9232]

@@boomerdiorama I did and they are great pics. Man that cedar is massive. When the cedar stump at the rest stop along I-5 in Smoky Point WA finally rots, the cedar behind the brewery might be a candidate to replace it....I grew up on 8 acres outside Lynden with 9 maples, blackberries, and cedars, hemlocks, and Doug firs. The brewery scene is just like going home.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@douglaspolinder9232 You also live in a beautiful state. I have been down there quite a bit over the years. It's beautiful, especially along the coast. Cheers.

[@douglaspolinder9232]

@@boomerdiorama Yep, looks a lot like BC. Not there anymore though. I divide my time between Michigan and Texas.

[@nathanm1972]

Hey Boomer, I really enjoy your process, will you be doing a poplar tree,if not I’ll let my imagination go wild!! Love the second to last video it was like a dance party!!!

[@nathanm1972]

Sorry Birch…been a long day

[@boomerdiorama]

Lol . . . O.K. Nathan . . . Thank you. The last video (Fail Forward Model Railroading) was me having some fun. I had a rough day. It was an impulse video that sort of summed up my feelings I have experienced over the years in my career and this great hobby we all share. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@nathanm1972]

Hey Boomer, I just now read the comment you made on the fail forward video, I really hope what whatever challenges you face work out for the good. Just know in your challenging time you’re bringing happiness with the videos. You don’t have to respond as I see that in itself is a full time job for you! Keep care and be strong Nathan

[@davefield5538]

Hi Boomer, in Vlog 62 you mentioned a vid on using sisal for deciduous tree branches. I’d like to see if bending the strands over the branch will imitate cedar boughs. What number is that one on please ? Also, in a different vid you mentioned your technique for making stumps and wooden tree trunks. I’m gonna need a whack of both. Which vlog should I watch ? Cheers, Dave

[@boomerdiorama]

I did mention using Sisal, but that is all I did was mention it. I never produced a tree tutorial with Sisal because it's the same application as static grass. You have to massage the sisal and static grass into shape after it dries by pulling downward on it like I demonstrated in the standard tree tutorials. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqikdZ6fepifidE As to your second question, I never made a video on tree stumps yet, but it is done with the same method as demonstrated in this video with texture paste over a wooden dowel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ-pkI2DrrWsn8U I won't be re-visiting trees again until the beginning of section two. Cheers.

[@ericcoughlan]

Was interested in how you add the pin. I recently built some OO scale English oaks for a friend using a similar method for the base tree, but I found, even with 40 odd strands of wire, the trunk was just too thin, and needed to bulk it out. I was using simple white glue for this stage of tree building, but found that the apply glue, sprinkle sawdust did not give sufficient thickness to the trunk, even after many applications. I ended up mixing a thick paste of glue and sawdust and pressing this onto the trunk. Do you use any other method to thicken the trunks of your trees? I have not tried your thatching method yet, but intend to give it a go once I find some thinner gauge (smaller than 24 gauge) as I model in N scale, and 24 gauge will only allow about 16 strands before the trunk is too thick for most N scale trees (the exact opposite of those OO scale oaks). On another point, have you tried two different shades of leaves? I have used Med green superleaf on the top of branches and Olive green superleaf on the underside of the branches. I think that this might give a similar effect to your special leaves that you were talking about.

[@boomerdiorama]

Sounds good! You can build up layers of sawdust to bulk out, or use Fiber Paste to enlarge the profile. Cheers.

[@mareviea]

When modeling the large buttresses of Cypress tress, I use "Foam-Mo" to build up the base of the trunk. Used in the Cos-Play community for costume design, Foam-Mo is a moldable foam clay that dries relatively hard, and is paintable. Rather that twist all of the wires together into a single loop for the trunk, I twist groups of three wires each into many loops, and splay them out into a conical shape. Then I fill the inside of the cone with an appropriately shaped piece of Foam-Mo, and mold and blend it until I get the shape I want. Here's a pic of some prototype Cypress trees that I did: facebook.com/TheCypressRoute/photos/pcb.587060289344729/587059172678174/ I'll admit that the color is a little off and the trunks need some texture. But after watching this video, I intend to rectify that with a little sawdust and my airbrush. ;)

[@ronheiser3248]

Great video! Do you have a source for the reference book you're using when making your trees?

[@boomerdiorama]

I mostly use "Google" images. I also use this little book - "Tree Book - Learning to recognize Trees of British Columbia."

[@ProScaleModels]

Hey man excellent job. Question: what is "thatching"? Is that static grass you are using but just putting it on by hand or is that some other type of material? I'd like to try this method of tree making out. Thanks and keep up the great work.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thatching is where you lay on a mat of (excess) static grass (by hand) on a limb with glue on it. This way 10-15% of the grass sticks, when it is dry, to represent branches. Then you recover the rest to re-thatch the next one, etc. Cheers.

[@ProScaleModels]

@@boomerdiorama Thank you for that. *heads to the craft store*

[@bertusduiverman4743]

Anyone who drinks Melitta Dark Roast is more than okay in my book.

[@boomerdiorama]

Lol . . . yes . . . the dark roast. Maybe a little too much sometimes for me ;-) Cheers.

[@4everdc302]

Hmm. Boomer I was wondering if I could use my static grasser right on the tree directly. Maybe not but it sounds like fun lol

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes you can use it on the trees as well. Especially if they are metal!

[@cloverdalerail1093]

Your trees are amazing, I would like to see your process for a burnt trees or Pine Beetle infested trees such as in the Fraser Canyon..

[@boomerdiorama]

Just spray the whole tree "red" brown . . . lol. Cheers.

[@laspiedrasrailroad]

🌴 palms

[@beckyforbis4858]

Did you put mat medium on the wire before you added the texture to the trunk?

[@boomerdiorama]

No. It does help to hand paint the wire with flat paint first though. You can spray them with acrylic paint from a can as well. I usually spray paint the armature flat white before I texture them. If you build trees this way, they take work , but they will last forever. I plan to build more down the road for section three again but that is a ways off yet. Cheers.

[@beckyforbis4858]

@@boomerdiorama Okay thanks 😊

[@melvinfackler8282]

Maple bark colors must be different in Canada, than the US. I have never seen brown bark on any maple species, a couple different grays, but no browns.

[@boomerdiorama]

The maples you see only have the base coat. I rarely show the finished model while in process because everyone wants to see the the production. Cheers.

[@melvinfackler8282]

@@boomerdiorama Not meant as criticism, but was confused. Thanks. Boomer, for clarifying.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@melvinfackler8282 No problem. ;-)

[@elvictorof]

Jakiej grubości jest drut bo podajesz zawsze tylko długość?

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheers.

[@elvictorof]

@@boomerdiorama I've already found this complicated American wire gauge conversion table. Regards

[@PostmoderneModelWorks]

I’ve been so deep in tree making for days that it’s kinda odd to watch someone else’s hands doing it

[@boomerdiorama]

Lol . . . Cheers.

[@Madonsteamrailways]

Not every tree has a fork in it!! The ones that have forks are well over 100 years old!!

[@boomerdiorama]

Most of the trees around here usually start at three hundred years old. ;-)

[@mikestrains23]

Was that tree made by you…?

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes.

[@DisVietVetUSA]

Without trees there in no Oxygen

[@boomerdiorama]

Trees love carbon as well. ;-)

[@ronhill5118]

Boomer, do you cut the paint 50% even after mixing the too colors as you have taught in other videos?

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes I do! Better to over-thin the paint and add more pigment if needed. Try the thin paint first and build it up, rather than going too heavy (splattering, etc.).