Branching out

 So as to fit in an estate car, the "model" is actually split into two separate  models. The larger one comprises the shop and the forge and the smaller one contains the barn. Due to the variations of the height of the buildings, we decided to fabricate a large tree to balance the heights and facilitate the use of a consistent depth for the acrylic covers.

My wife, Jean is in charge of the tree making for this project as she is on all other architectural scale models. I did, however provide a rough metal armature for the main trunk, upon which, Jean developed the arboreal design.

Copper plumbing tube was roughly bent to shape and soldered together to form a basic trunk.

The natural open ends of the tubes offered a handy aperture  in which to plant bundles of wires to start braiding to form the lower branches.

Various gauges of galvanised wire were used to gradually build up the form of the branch system.

The overall shape and size of the tree was critical in order to fit snugly around the shape of the barn and within the acrylic cover.

When the superstructure was completed, it was time to apply an outer layer to resemble a natural bark. The chosen material was tissue paper and PVA adhesive. The resultant wrinkles give an excellent natural appearance.



This texture was applied to all but the finest extremities of the branches, then an acrylic paint finish was applied to the completed branch system.

Finally, foliage was added using natural, self-coloured lichen. UHU adhesive was employed because it has a certain level of flexibility when dry. This ensures that the natural movement in transport would not break a more brittle such as cyanoacrylate. No further colouring was required.