Tall Forest Pine Trees - Model Railroad Scenery

Pine trees are found all over the world which makes them a great tree to model on any model railroad or model diorama.
In this tutorial I’ll show you a simple yet very realistic way of making pine trees that you might see walking through a dense forest, with long trunks and lush dark green canopies these trees will look fantastic no matter where you plant them on your layout.
The trees in this video are made to HO scale however the technique as with nearly all of my other tutorials applies easily to any other scale.
For more information and a list of materials go and check out www.bouldercreekrailroad.com and you’ll find all the additional information there as well as many other articles and videos.
Finally if you’re really enjoying these videos be sure to consider supporting me with a small donation on "Patreon"
www.patreon.com/luketowan?ty=h
every little bit helps me bring these tutorials to you not to mention it really motivates me to do the best videos I can.
Cheers
Luke Towan
Music:
Wheels by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: audionautix.com/

[@josephpowell736]

Super job on the trees. Living in the U.S. “down south” and modeling the L&N railroad. This video will come in very handy. Thanks for your great work.

[@nqbraun]

I am new to the RR hobby and appreciate the time and help that you give in making these videos. These are very easy to follow and enjoyable as well.

[@rasmus2705]

Your channel is just the nicest thing i've found from youtube this year!

[@ScottDowneywoundedbear]

The tutorials just keep coming. You make it look so easy. I would never had thought of making the trunk, I would have just used the stick. Another fantastic job.Scott

[@LukeTowan]

+Scott Downey lol, thanks Scott, I've seen some other guys make similar trees. Most of them use furnace filter which I don't have access to. I'm glad I stumbled across 'Coconut Fiber'! Cheers Luke

[@cbcdesign001]

The wire brush technique to create the bark is amazing Luke.

[@LukeTowan]

yeah, I too was amazed at how it turned out in the final product! Glad you enjoyed it :) Cheers Luke

[@YudaFaisal]

Nice work Luke! I always admire your works. I followed this particular tutorial of yours for N-scale and I've made about 20 of them. Thank you for this tutorial!

[@rentacowisgoogle]

Everything you make looks so perfectly realistic. I don't know how you do it :)

[@LukeTowan]

lots of practice :) thanks :) Cheers Luke

[@gimiklioptions]

He just showed you how he does it!!! What more can he do to show you???

[@patricklastname5646]

Plenty of practice with tons of material you didn't pay for since you are sponsored ;0)

[@blameusa7082]

rocket hot glue $ 8, balsa sticks $ 3, Spray glue $ 7, Woodlands Turf x 2 $ 14..... He's like in the top 100 richest men alive!

[@marioortiz6776]

puessk

[@vijaybhaskar4861]

I love the simplicity of the idea. I couldn't find the basket liner or coconut fibre so I used a dish washer scrub instead. It was quite difficult to pull them apart to create layers, so I soaked the scrub in water and when it softened, got to work!

[@LooseGravel14]

Excellent! Best method I’ve seen for creating very realistic trees. A small point, these represent fir trees, pines have a very growth pattern. Thanks for the great video.

[@thomfroi]

even though I am not a model maker, I absolutely love to see your tutorials!

[@nickgrandy3098]

I see not one single dog...just a ton of raw talent...great vid man...

[@LukeTowan]

+nick grandy ha ha, thanks Nick, what a great compliment :) Cheers Luke

[@Hey_MikeZeroEcho22P]

OUTSTANDING!!!! I finishing a 1/35 model tank ( modern German AVLB ) and THIS way of making trees is So SUPERIOR!!! I Knew....you train-guys/gals are Always into scenery and admire YOUR skill in producing a Much needed diorama idea!! I Will be using this into Good Usage!!!

[@RATGUTZZ]

THANK YOU SO MUCH I've been going hobby store to hobby store for hours trying to find realistic trees for my sets and they all, honestly, look awful to me. I adore detail and the little plastic trunks just didn't do it for me. This is extremely helpful and I can't wait to use this technique.

[@gilmance4923]

Thank you for a great tutorial. I just made my first four conifers using your methods, and I can't begin to tell you how happy I am with the results. Thank you again.

[@LukeTowan]

Excellent, that's fantastic! Glad you liked the video and put the techniques to use :) Cheers Luke

[@kamencic]

This is awesome. Those trees look so real.

[@the4000class]

WOW!!! Thank you for the videos. Finally a source for affordable model railroad scenery ideas. I'm so excited I found this Channel

[@saltydog888]

Stumbled across your site mate. I'm 52 and built Messerschmitts, German tanks and Junkers when I was a kid. LOL I'm an Aussie! I always marvelled at dioramas and wondered how. This has reconnected me with that. Stoked. Really enjoying it. Thanks.

[@antoniodorsi8985]

Really, really, really fantastic!!! I'm very happy to follow your videos...i look theirs every day many times per day. 😀THANK YOU

[@markhayes6407]

Better looking than furnace filter for leaves. I will definitely use this method. They look great.

[@zhaniahernandez7722]

Thank you for bringing this wonderful tutorial with us.I really enjoyed learning from you work.

[@scottb8945]

I am an artist myself and I would be one that looks for details in those trees and these trees had some of the best detailing I’ve ever seen

[@daviemaclean61]

I shouldn't be amazed by your use of cheap and easy to find materials with a large dash of modelling skill, but you've done it again. Brilliant pines.

[@LukeTowan]

+davie maclean Thanks for another great compliment Davie, I try to show my technique so others can copy and replicate it on their models as well. Cheers Luke

[@brianstraight9333]

Wow Mr. Towan, i just found your videos this afternoon and am utterly blown away by the quality of the videography, modeling, and teaching. You have successfully managed to get me to blow off my responsibilities for another day. My hat goes off to you sir!

[@LukeTowan]

+Brian Straight lol, I wish I could have a day of no responsibility :) When I don't show up to work I make a lot of people very angry and when I don't show up at home... we'll... lets just say I'd rather deal with the angry people :) thanks for such a fantastic comment! Cheers Luke

[@Pixel__Hearts]

Thanks for documenting your talent and sharing with us this will be very helpful for school projects

[@carlocreates5444]

Brilliant yet simple tutorials with excellent quality results... Thanks man! Keep these coming!

[@roblink4781]

Absolutely fantastic, these will definitely come in handy on a diorama I'm working on...

[@the10thleper]

Nice, well presented. Looking forward to try this. The tree trunk and wire brush is perfect. Thank you.

[@xayfong9813]

I enjoy watching your videos luke towan

[@bastago01]

Fantastic I fell in love with this method with coconut fiber very good tutorial thanks for sharing it 👍👏👏👏

[@PowScience]

I've been using your tips for about 2 weeks on a combo HO train/AFX slot car layout...with zombies. Now the parts I've done with your tips are making me realize I have to completely redo the other parts which now look rubbish!! Thanks so much Luke!

[@LukeTowan]

lol.... At least you can see that you age getting better at your scenery :) I'm glad I've been able to help you with scenery. Cheers Luke

[@khurramshehzad8736]

Truly Amazing Art. this was the bestest art work i have ever seen. great job bro, i saw your apple tree video that also was so awesome. i became a fan of your after watching your these two videos.

[@ashenwalls3558]

I bet these would work really well for my dollhouse when I come to doing landscaping!

[@shurikalanbogov]

Amazing! It is very similar to the real tree. You have a great talent. Your mind and hands synchronized for beautiful things.

[@susansuzy45]

everything looks jus real....so lovely N lively

[@BroadwaySetmodels]

I'm shook, that steelbrush makes it so realistic!

[@andrewgould7002]

Unbelievable, i am going to try this this weekend, thank you so much for the tips, fabulous work

[@alienheston5748]

You just saved me so much money! I don’t mind the time put into it.

[@vikititor]

Again Luke nice ideas. many thanks.

[@cudathehawgjetfixer7520]

Where on earth do you come up with these great ideas for the modelers? You got me started back into making dioramas for my scale models where I shyly moved away years ago. Keep up the great work!!

[@bobzthecat82]

that tree trunk work is amazing

[@renees766]

That looks fantastic! I was so enthralled with watching you create that I never saw even ONE dog lol

[@muss1951]

Excellent looking trees, great advice

[@cheryldurham297]

I have never come across such good bark detail before - THANKS SO MUCH!

[@LukeTowan]

Thanks Cheryl 😊 Glad you liked it

[@madeleine7377]

Geez… saw your video and was SO INFORMATIVE!! Many Thank You’s the tree trunks did it for ( me )… smiles

[@jordyr2262]

Love to see a video about you personally - like how did you get into modelling? and what the best one you've done?

[@hobbyhermit66]

Those dead branches add a lot of realism. Nice video.

[@Jimnyma]

That method will work great on my Lumber mill area and the surrounding area. I could use the info on making the tree trunk to produce fallen and ready for the mill logs!Thanks so much Luke on another great tutorial, you are genius with this stuff!!!

[@LukeTowan]

Thanks Jimmy, I had a thought of making enough logs to fill a log car which I guess is similar to your idea :) These would look great in an old logging mill. Cheers Luke

[@DaggerAndBrushBlog]

The production quality of your videos is excellent. Each step is well explained and the results are stunning. I am glad I cam across your channel, lots of inspiration to be found!

[@LukeTowan]

Thanks mate :) glad you like the channel

[@bigsparky65]

Fantastic tutorial on trees, i will have to try your method

[@josephemmanuel9824]

Wow, great talent👏 Thank you💐

[@spartan456]

You're like the Bob Ross of 3D scale models.

[@hanielulises841]

spartan456 true 😂

[@aanler]

Yet.

[@inaquianallforce4042]

It feels very "old-school PBS" doesn't out?

[@lancev.o8052]

Yes!

[@steffenrosmus1864]

Yes the results are as poor as the ones of Bob🤮

[@daveogarf]

GREAT JOB! Trunks look just incredible! Background music is PERFECT! Totally BONZER!

[@jj8995]

Brilliant idea. I'm going to use. The liner from a hanging basket. It's sort of. Coya. Thanks mate.

[@AndyHeim]

Very good technique! Tried it today and it worked wonderful. Thanks a lot!

[@Reimaginedmodels]

Big thanks for this video! These trees will look awesome on my intro idea I am working on for my videos!

[@virginiafry8991]

I'm liking that coconut fiber....seems like one could make other things with that as well.

[@simonwallace-tarry355]

Thanks Luke, in the process of making some now. Cheers for the videos, so good.

[@edforcer1340]

Hi Luke You've struck modelling gold again. This is another project I will be adopting on my railway. Only saw the dog three times though so no Hall of Fame for me. Thanks for sharing Cheers!

[@LukeTowan]

+Ed Shunt Thanks mate for such a great comment, good luck with making some trees :) If you want the answers to the dog I posted photos on my website :) you did well! Cheers Luke

[@zackaryswift7572]

I’d love to see a wasteland diorama with these trees before the green. But they look amazing finished!

[@sonalmohite8550]

Such a beautiful model done. I dnt knw wts there to dislike n ths. Crazy People who dislike. Man Ur grt hats off

[@user-tg6xv4sz8p]

Потрясающе! Восторг! Браво!

[@worldforger9225]

Wow I was looking for something like this for my d&d terrain! Thanks!

[@TheVeryLastHippy]

I use bamboo, carved to get rid of the smooth edge, for my trunks. They have a natural hole for the skewer and pin. Not sure you would get as nice a bark texture as the one in this vid though. Loving these videos

[@chrisclark3886]

Thanks because I was planning on making a Camp Crystal Lake diorama with my Neca figures

[@mountain-roots]

This video is a gem to me and i can't thank you enough.

[@snappletons7099]

Can't express how much I love your videos. Keep them coming.

[@LukeTowan]

+Snappleton S Thanks mate, I'm glad you're enjoying them :) Cheers Luke

[@salaltschul3604]

Man, I can't get over how good that tree trunk looks.

[@LukeTowan]

Yeah I was pretty surprised at how well it turned out as well :) Thanks mate. Cheers Luke

[@Chuck39740]

Outstanding. Most realistic look

[@carlosfabian6870]

Ola luke towan muy lindo tus trabajos, increíble, vale la pena aserlo en casa 🏡 felicitaciones un saludo desde Rivera Uruguay ok

[@johnharrison2397]

Excellent, informative and interesting video. Well done and thanks for sharing.

[@garyloger9416]

Pretty slick what you did with the dog in the end. Pretty much guarantees a rewatch. This is a very entertaining video. Thanks for allowing a peek into your world. It was fun.

[@LukeTowan]

lol, yeah I tried to add a little bit of entertainment to the video :) Glad you liked the video :) Cheers Luke

[@facuorona7221]

I watched the vídeo for the tutorial and at the ending I remembered the collies and I watched again lol. nice video ! great looking trees

[@LukeTowan]

ha ha, glad you liked the video :) Cheers Luke

[@DrKlown]

I don't even make models, I just really enjoy these videos

[@LukeTowan]

+DrKlown That's a great compliment :) I'm glad you enjoy watching. Cheers Luke

[@marionrodrigo6385]

so relaxing to watch....

[@LukeTowan]

thanks :)

[@Myfactory62]

Thanks for sharing,very useful tips.

[@leswall6293]

You make things look so easy , really good watching (UK)

[@bernardjohnson6322]

I like using the razor on my tree trunks! The random deep and shallow groves in the tree bark.

[@formidable38]

Genius!! Very nice, Luke.

[@nanaceves7108]

an amazing work!! congratulations! 🙌

[@BrownEyedHighGirL]

Bravo!

[@reggaelatinus6705]

Very interesting,greetings from Slovakia

[@williamandshannongodfrey3812]

Thanks so much for sharing this I’m making a diorama!!!😁

[@2sons1lv]

Loved this tutorial 💕

[@rebeccaboyarhi4633]

Wow what a great job!!

[@everonrailways8399]

That tree bark is amazingly realistic! I will try this technique in N scale.

[@LukeTowan]

Yeah I was quite impressed at the end result as well. It should work for N scale. Might need a finer brush? Or just go over it a few more times? Good luck :) Cheers Luke

[@p7s7cdfk]

Fantastic job Luke - you are so talented and creative and the video quality is excellent. Thanks for some great tips - I'll be using them on my own HO Marklin railroad for sure. Glyn Jones

[@LukeTowan]

Thanks Glyn, I'm glad you have found a few tips to use on your railroad :) Cheers Luke

[@fuzzy4461]

Awesome method, would never have thought of it.

[@gerlandkent6377]

thank, you for sharing you're video and info.👍

[@kimandersendk]

very nice tutorial, great looking tree's.

[@LukeTowan]

Thanks Kim, glad you liked it :) Cheers Luke

[@danbytp]

I'm modeling Onslow County, NC.This EXACTLY what I was looking for!!!

[@Bobolots]

lots of pine in Onslow Co.!

[@danbytp]

@@Bobolots I was stationed at Camp Lejuene outside Jackson , NC and fell in love with the area and coastal NC.

[@stevewojcik7607]

Wow. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@michellelawrence3168]

Wow this is just Awesome, and great to watch you do it😍😍😍

[@dineshvyas]

Beautiful

[@LordRusty5]

How in the world did I miss this video? As always, Luke ... well done!

[@furbarator]

Beautiful work, you are an outstanding teacher.

[@LukeTowan]

Thanks again for an amazing comment :) Cheers Luke

[@trentharrison7141]

Exceptional! Thank you

[@energymedia4652]

It's so amazing

[@mariab6136]

BRAVO BRAVISSIMO!!!!

[@purplegoblin]

Fantastic work as always.

[@seriousCADninja]

Amazing thanks for sharing! Your tutorials are a pleasure to watch nicely done and up to the point!

[@LukeTowan]

Thank You :) Glad you're enjoying watching the videos. Cheers Luke