As most of our layout baseboards are made from some form of wood, from plain timber to MDF, trees are a very important part of the model railway life cycle. Scenically, they also form a major part of many layouts, either as prominent view-blockers, or standing along the backscene disguising the flat sky.
But what sort of shapes should the trees be, why do they grow where they are, how have they been affected by the environment and other factors, and why are we so attached to them?
Windblown Trees
When you see a tree on a hillside, especially in the more exposed locations, it's very rare to see a simple, straight tree. More often than not, the prevailing winds have had a dramatic effect on the shape, with the branches, and often the trunk, leaning over at a weird angle.
We can replicate this with hand-made trees, but remember to keep a photo of the actual tree you've copied, to show to those who might suggest your expertly crafted model is 'wonky'.
Livestock Field Trees
Trees in livestock fields are often the target of hungry mouths, wanting a variation in diet to the grass beneath their feet. This leaves a flat base to the overall shape, following the land below in a symmetrical and artistic way.
These trees at the NT Garden at Trelissick are in a field often used by cattle and sheep and have had the bottom leaves and branches nibbled away.
By carefully trimming the lower branches off your model trees, you can duplicate this animal-created scene - just remember they are sheep and cattle, not giraffes!
Water's Edge Trees
Despite not having a 'brain' (as far as we know), trees seem to understand the environment in which they live and adapt themselves as needed. For those trees on the edge of a tidal river, they keep the branches just high enough to stay out of the water at normal high tide levels, curling the twigs and leaves up and out of the water.
If you're modelling the tide at high water, then the leaves and branches should be very close to the water surface. If modelling at lower tides, then the high water mark along the shore should match the lower limit of the tree foliage.
Roadside Trees
Often we see trees growing out of stone walls, a result probably of wind-blown seeds many years before. The walls are often badly damaged, with stones pushed out of place and weeds and grasses growing in the resulting gaps.
Sometimes the trees on both sides of the road grow across, into the available airspace above the road itself, although they don't often interlace their branches - they seem to 'know' how to give each other enough room. You can see here how the branches from the trees on the left stretch out sideways, then suddenly turn upwards.
As windbreaks, trees can be very effective. Often seen along the edge of fields where more delicate crops are grown, a row of modelled large trees forming a wall of leaves can be a great view blocker, especially for fiddle yard exits.
Significant Trees
There are many trees which are symbols of different things or just favourites for no other reason than it's a tree. Some trees are very famous, such as the much-lamented Sycamore Gap which was recently felled. Others are sentimental for romantic reasons, or mark an important point in someone's life.
For those travelling home into Cornwall, along the A30, there is a copse of trees known as the 'Nearly Home trees'. There's nothing special about these trees, they just stand on a little hillside, but they signify to those passing by that the border is not far away.
Let us know what you've made
Whatever you do for your trees scene, please send us photos as we'd love to see what you've created.